consider — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To think about seriously.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   bethinkreflecttake

   Examples

   Consider that we’ve had three major events and the year has hardly begun.

   How can you know everything about everything, if you won't consider any dissent?

   More examples (2)

   Thenceforth to speculations high or deep / I turned my thoughts, and with capacious mind / Considered all things visible.

   If the takeover is approved, Comcast would control 20 of the top 25 cable markets, […]. Antitrust officials will need to consider Comcast’s status as a monopsony (a buyer with disproportionate power), when it comes to negotiations with programmers, whose channels it pays to carry.

2. To think about something seriously or carefully: to deliberate.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

3. To think about whether one will do (an action); to weigh as a possible course of action.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   think ofbethink

   Examples

   I’m considering going to the beach tomorrow.

4. To assign some quality to.

   Usage

   • Ditransitive

   Synonyms

   deemregardthink of

   Examples

   Consider yourself lucky, but consider your opponent skillful.

   I considered the pie undercooked.

   More examples (4)

   I consider you (to be) an excellent friend.

   "What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing after all. I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished society."

   ‘I understand that the district was considered a sort of sanctuary,’ the Chief was saying. ‘An Alsatia like the ancient one behind the Strand, or the Saffron Hill before the First World War.[…]’

   Isaacson reports that Musk’s fractured relationship with Jenna, who is trans, partly led to Musk’s rightward turn toward libertarianism and questioning what he considers the “woke-mind-virus, which is fundamentally antiscience, antimerit, and antihuman.”

5. To look at attentively.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   regardobserve

   Examples

   She sat there for a moment, considering him.

   She considereth a field, and buyeth it.

6. To take up as an example.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   take

   Examples

   Consider a triangle having three equal sides.

   More examples (1)

   Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths. Consider for a moment the origins of almost any word we have for bad language – "profanity", "curses", "oaths" and "swearing" itself.

7. To debate (or dispose of) a motion.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   deliberatebethink

   Examples

   This body will now consider the proposed amendments to Section 453 of the zoning code.

8. To have regard to; to take into view or account; to pay due attention to; to respect.

   Synonyms

   take into accounthear

   Examples

   He never seems to consider the feelings of others.

   Consider, sir, the chance of war: the day / Was yours by accident.

   More examples (1)

   February 21, 1679, William Temple, letter to the Lord Treasurer England could grow into a posture of being more united at home, and more considered abroad.

9. To believe or opine (that).

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   Mother very rightly resented the slightest hint of condescension. She considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom,[…].

   What is clear is that the courts in both Alberta and Ontario consider that there must be some preliminary assessment of the evidence of alleged breaches of the relevant Act when considering whether a freeze order is justified at the investigation stage.

Verb

1. deem to be

   Synonyms

   seereckonviewregard

   Broader terms

   thinkbelieveconceive

   Examples

   She views this quite differently from me

   I consider her to be shallow

   More examples (1)

   I don't see the situation quite as negatively as you do

2. give careful consideration to

   Synonyms

   study

   Broader terms

   chew overthink overmeditateponderexcogitatecontemplatemusereflectmullmull overruminatespeculate

   Examples

   consider the possibility of moving

3. take into consideration for exemplifying purposes

   Synonyms

   takedeallook at

   Broader terms

   think about

   Examples

   Take the case of China

   Consider the following case

4. show consideration for; take into account

   Synonyms

   countweigh

   Broader terms

   thinkcogitatecerebrate

   Examples

   You must consider her age

   The judge considered the offender's youth and was lenient

5. think about carefully; weigh

   Synonyms

   debatemootturn overdeliberate

   Broader terms

   hash outdiscusstalk over

   Examples

   They considered the possibility of a strike

   Turn the proposal over in your mind

6. judge or regard; look upon; judge

   Synonyms

   thinkbelieveconceive

   Broader terms

   evaluatepass judgmentjudge

   Examples

   I think he is very smart

   I believe her to be very smart

   More examples (2)

   I think that he is her boyfriend

   The racist conceives such people to be inferior

7. look at attentively

   Synonyms

   regard

   Broader terms

   look

8. look at carefully; study mentally

   Synonyms

   viewlook at

   Broader terms

   analyzeanalysestudyexaminecanvass

   Examples

   view a problem

9. regard or treat with consideration, respect, and esteem

   Broader terms

   seereckonviewregard

   Examples

   Please consider your family