Select the word that is closest in meaning to the word RUMINATE from the options given below:-
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → ponder
- Ruminate means to think deeply and for a long time about something. It comes from the Latin ruminari (to chew the cud): the mind goes over a thought again and again, as a cow chews its food again.
Example: He ruminated over the offer for a week. - Ponder means to think about something carefully before deciding; it carries the same sense, so it is the synonym of ruminate.
Example: She pondered the question before answering.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: hold — Incorrect. Hold means to grasp or keep something; it has nothing to do with thinking.
Example: Please hold the rope tightly.
Option 2: gratify — Incorrect. Gratify means to give pleasure or satisfaction; it is unrelated to deep thought.
Example: The result gratified the whole team.
Option 4: appease — Incorrect. Appease means to calm someone by giving in to demands; it is about pleasing others, not thinking.
Example: The leader tried to appease the angry crowd.
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ruminate | – | – | – | 13-06 S2 | – |
| gratify | – | 19-05 S2 | – | 13-06 S1 | – |
| ponder | – | – | – | – | 17-08 S2 |
| appease | – | 27-05 S1 | – | 09-06 S1 | 16-09 S1 |