contemplate

Universal Words verb 1 to think about whether you should do sth, or how you should do sth SYNCONSIDER, THINKABOUT/OF: [VN] You're too young to be contemplating retirement. * [V-ing] I have never contemplated living abroad. [also Vwh-, VN-ing] 2 to think carefully about and accept the possibility of sth happening: [VN] The thought of war is too awful to contemplate. * [Vwh-] I can't contemplate what it would be like to be alone. [also Vthat] 3 (formal) to think deeply about sth for a long time: [VN] to contemplate your future * [V] She lay in bed, contemplating. 4 [VN] (formal) to look at sth in a careful way for a long time: She contemplated him in silence. * He sat there, contemplating his fingernails.