Contemplate and Reflect

Contemplate

Contemplate verb - To give serious and careful thought to.
Usage example: she contemplated the problem for several hours before reaching a decision

Reflect is a synonym for contemplate in ponder topic. In some cases you can use "Reflect" instead a verb "Contemplate", when it comes to topics like activity, study, think, scrutinise. popular alternative

Reflect

Reflect verb - Reflect deeply on a subject.

Contemplate is a synonym for reflect in ponder topic. You can use "Contemplate" instead a verb "Reflect", if it concerns topics such as think about, activity, study, consider. popular alternative

Common collocations

life contemplate life reflect life
relationship contemplate relationship reflect relationship
nature contemplate nature reflect nature
fact contemplate fact reflect fact
Other words: history, times, events.

Both words in one sentence

  • Film / The Bridge on the River Kwai Contemplate Our Navels: Nicholson takes a moment when the bridge is complete to reflect on his career as a military man.
  • Literature / The Killer Angels Contemplate Our Navels: All of the characters are deeply introspective and reflect often on what they've left behind, their personal cause, and what could or should have been.
  • Rage Against the Heavens Mind, it was supposed to help him by giving him time to reflect on his sin until he was ready to repent, but eventually Naoya just went so nuts he is no longer capable to contemplate that possibility.
Cite this Source
Reflect and Contemplate. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/contemplate/reflect
Contemplate & Reflect. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/contemplate/reflect>.
Reflect or Contemplate. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/contemplate/reflect.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "contemplate" and "reflect" have occurred on timeline