Consider — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /kən-ˈsi-dər/ con·sid·er

Meaning & Definition of Consider

Consider (verb)

  1. to think about carefully
  2. to think of especially with regard to taking some action
  3. to take into account

Consider (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to think of in a particular way

    "I consider him a very good friend"

    similar: account, call, count, esteem, hold, look (on or upon), rate, reckon, regard, set down, view, take for
    related: believe, deem, feel, sense, think, conceive, fancy, imagine

  2. to give serious and careful thought to

    "carefully considering our options"

    similar: chew over, cogitate, contemplate, debate, deliberate, entertain, eye, kick around, meditate, mull (over), perpend, ponder, pore (over), question, revolve, ruminate, study, think (about or over), turn, weigh, wrestle (with), beat one's brains out (about), chew on, cudgel one's brains (about), look at
    related: muse (upon), reflect (on or upon), reminisce, analyze, explore, review, conclude, reason, second-guess, speculate (about), brood (about or over), dwell (on or upon), fixate (on or upon), fret (about or over), obsess (about or over), believe, conceive, opine, absorb, assimilate, digest, drink (in)
    near: disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, dismiss, pooh-pooh, reject

  3. to have as an opinion

    "consider the price too high"

    similar: allow (chiefly Southern & Midland), believe, conceive, deem, esteem, feel, figure, guess, hold, imagine, judge, reckon (chiefly dialect), suppose, think
    related: regard, view, accept, perceive, depend, rely, trust, assume, presume, presuppose, surmise, conclude, deduce, infer
    near: distrust, doubt, mistrust, question, suspect, disbelieve, discredit, reject

  4. to give consideration to (as unexpected circumstances or contingencies)

    "I had to consider the commute in deciding whether to take the job"

    similar: allow (for), factor (in or into), provide (for), regard, figure on, reckon with, take account of, take into account
    related: accommodate, adapt, adjust, condition, anticipate, contemplate, envisage, expect, foresee, assume, presume, presuppose, plan, calculate, face
    opposite: discount, disregard
    near: factor (out)

  5. to think very highly or favorably of

    "her well-considered novels have seldom been best sellers"

    similar: admire, appreciate, esteem, regard, respect, set store by
    related: acclaim, accredit, applaud, approve, commend, compliment, credit, praise, delight (in), drink (in), enjoy, relish, revel (in), savor, dig, fancy, favor, groove (on), like, love, adore, adulate, canonize, deify, dote (on), hallow, idolize, revere, reverence, venerate, worship, cherish, prize, treasure, value
    near: abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe, condemn, decry, deplore, disapprove, discount, discountenance, disdain, disfavor, dislike, dismiss, disregard, frown (on or upon), kiss off, scorn, vilify

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Consider

The most common words with a similar meaning to Consider:

Chiefly Southern & Midland: allow
Chiefly dialect: reckon
account, call, count, esteem, hold, look (on or upon), rate, regard, set down, view, chew over, cogitate, contemplate, debate, deliberate, entertain, eye, kick around, meditate, mull (over), perpend, ponder, pore (over), question, revolve, ruminate, study, think (about or over), turn, weigh, wrestle (with), believe, conceive, deem, feel, figure, guess, imagine, judge, suppose

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Consider

Words with the opposite meaning of Consider:

discount, disregard

Related Words for Consider

sense, fancy, muse (upon), reflect (on or upon), reminisce, analyze, explore, review, conclude, reason, second-guess, speculate (about), brood (about or over), dwell (on or upon), fixate (on or upon), fret (about or over), obsess (about or over), opine, absorb, assimilate, digest, drink (in), accept, perceive, depend, rely, trust, assume, presume, presuppose

Near Antonyms of Consider

ignore, overlook, slight, dismiss, pooh-pooh, reject, distrust, doubt, mistrust, question, suspect, disbelieve, discredit, factor (out), abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe, condemn, decry, deplore, disapprove, discountenance, disdain, disfavor, dislike, frown (on or upon)

Word Forms of Consider

Inflections: considered, considering

Origin & Etymology of Consider

Middle English, from Anglo-French considerer, from Latin considerare to observe, think about, from com- + sider-, sidus heavenly body

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Consider

Words & Phrases Containing Consider

consider it done, consider oneself lucky/fortunate

Frequently Asked Questions about Consider

What does "Consider" mean?

"Consider" means to think about carefully. As a verb, it is defined as: to think about carefully. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Consider"?

Other words for "Consider" include account, call, count, esteem, hold, look (on or upon), rate and reckon. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Consider" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Consider"?

There are 136 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Consider". Common alternatives include account, call, count, esteem, hold, look (on or upon), rate, reckon, regard and set down.

What is the opposite of "Consider"?

Antonyms of "Consider" include discount and disregard. Near antonyms include ignore, overlook, slight and dismiss.

How do you use "Consider" in a sentence?

Examples of "Consider" in a sentence: "I consider him a very good friend"; "carefully considering our options"; "consider the price too high".

Is "Consider" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Consider" is a verb.

Is "Consider" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Consider" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Consider"?

"Consider" is pronounced /kən-ˈsi-dər/ and divided into syllables as con·sid·er.