cogitation

Turning ideas over

Cogitation is the act of thinking deeply or carefully about something.

The word carries a formal or literary tone and often implies sustained, serious mental effort rather than casual thought.

Someone engaged in cogitation is pondering, mulling over, or deliberating on a matter.

After much cogitation, she decided to accept the job offer.

The word sometimes appears with mild irony to describe overthinking simple decisions.

deliberation

pondering

Thinking deeply about something

contemplationSustained reflective attention
considerationCareful thought or compensation
reasoningDrawing logical conclusions

analysis · evaluation · weighing · assessment · judgment · forethought · scrutiny · decision-making · prudence · advisement

intellect

reasoning

Drawing logical conclusions

comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
understandingMental comprehension of something
logicScience of valid reasoning

cerebration · abstraction · conceptualization · ideation · rationality · deduction · induction · inference · synthesis · thought-process

reflection

introspection

Observing one's own mind

ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
self-examinationScrutiny of one's thoughts
broodingAnxiously dwelling on something

reverie · musings · retrospection · self-analysis · self-scrutiny · self-questioning · navel-gazing · self-discovery · philosophizing · soliloquy

meditation

mindfulness

Awareness of the present

contemplationSustained reflective attention
focusConcentrated attention point
concentrationSustained single-minded attention

stillness · silence · awareness · tranquility · serenity · introspection · solitude · centering · quiet · presence

problem-solving

analysis

Methodical study of parts

strategizingFormulating tactical approaches
puzzlingCausing confusion or bewilderment
figuringComputing or deducing

calculating · scheming · plotting · planning · troubleshooting · brainstorming · deducing · unraveling · grappling · wrestling

Categories

cognitionthinking, reasoning, thought, remembering, memory retrieval
contemplationcontemplation, meditation, reflection, pondering, musing
deliberationdeliberation, consideration, ponder, contemplate, weighing
thoughtsthought, idea, thoughts, ideas, thinking
digestionstomach acid, swallowing, digesting, chewing, digestion
reasoningreasoning, reason, logic, inference, deductive

Opposites

deliberation vs. impulsiveness

cogitationimpulse

Sudden urge to act

impulsiveness · rashness · recklessness · impetuosity · snap judgment

mental engagement vs. mental disengagement

cogitationthoughtlessness

Lack of careful consideration

mindlessness · inattention · heedlessness · disregard · neglect

abstract thought vs. concrete reality

cogitationreality

What actually exists

actuality · fact · action · deed · practice

Family

cogitative, cogitating, cogitations

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G