meditated on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meditated on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of thinking deeply or reflecting on a particular subject or idea. Example: "After much contemplation, she meditated on the meaning of life and her place in the universe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even those later categorized as "moderately compliant meditators" meditated on average 23.4 minutes per day.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Indeed, it would be time well spent if Secretary Kerry meditated on past failures rather than mediating new ones.

Huffington Post

He meditated on Zen koans.

The Economist

At first I meditated on what I should do.

Columbia University

The Year's Afternoon (2000) meditated on memory and solitude.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sometimes he meditated on cultural and economic shifts.

The New York Times

In fact, the pope had meditated on the possibility of resigning for years.

The New York Times

My flip-flops always flipped off unless I meditated on holding them in place.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Belva Singer, 91, meditated on the power of the Birkat Kohanim, the ancient Priestly Blessing.

The New York Times

A man usually preoccupied with politics meditated on food for a moment for a brief farewell.

The New York Times

His pain informed his religious readings; he meditated on Jesus' pain, his wife said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meditated on" when you want to convey a sense of deep reflection and thoughtful consideration, especially if the subject involves abstract concepts, personal values, or spiritual themes. This emphasizes the depth of the thought process.

Common error

Avoid using "meditated on" in everyday situations where simpler terms like "thought about" or "considered" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal or pretentious. Save it for when you genuinely want to emphasize profound reflection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meditated on" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deep and prolonged thought process. Ludwig shows that it's often used to describe a deliberate act of reflection, similar to contemplation or pondering, but with a stronger emphasis on internal consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "meditated on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing deep and thoughtful reflection. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples from authoritative sources across news, media, science and academic domains. While versatile, it is best suited for contexts where serious contemplation is intended, avoiding overuse in casual conversations. Alternatives like "reflected upon" and "contemplated" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Use this knowledge to improve your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reflected upon

Focuses on considering something carefully and deeply, similar to meditating but with less spiritual connotation.

contemplated

Implies a long and thoughtful observation, close to meditating but often about future actions or possibilities.

ruminated on

Suggests a deep and prolonged thought process, often dwelling on a particular subject.

pondered over

Suggests a thorough and often troubled consideration of something, emphasizing the weight of the subject.

deliberated on

Emphasizes careful and unhurried consideration, often in the context of making a decision.

mused over

Implies a gentle and thoughtful consideration, often in a reflective or wistful manner.

thought deeply about

A more straightforward way of expressing deep consideration, lacking the nuanced implications of meditation.

gave thought to

Indicates that something was considered, but not necessarily with the same intensity as meditation.

considered at length

Highlights the duration and thoroughness of the consideration, but is less evocative than "meditated on".

brooded about

Implies a prolonged and anxious consideration, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

What does "meditated on" mean?

The phrase "meditated on" means to think deeply or reflect seriously about a particular subject or idea. It implies a prolonged and thoughtful consideration, often involving introspection or contemplation.

What can I say instead of "meditated on"?

You can use alternatives like "reflected upon", "contemplated", or "thought deeply about" depending on the context.

How to use "meditated on" in a sentence?

You can use "meditated on" to describe someone thinking deeply about a topic. For example: "She "meditated on" the meaning of life", or "He "meditated on" the implications of his decision".

Is it correct to say "meditated about" instead of "meditated on"?

While "meditated" can sometimes be followed by "about", "meditated on" is more common and generally preferred when you want to emphasize a deep, thoughtful consideration. "Meditated about" might be used in more informal contexts, but "meditated on" is the more standard and widely accepted form.