ruminating

[/ˈruːmɪneɪtɪŋ/]
verb (present participle) / adjective
ruminando
1. (of animals) chewing cud; regurgitating and re-chewing food
The cow was ruminating in the pasture.
A vaca estava ruminando no pasto.
2. thinking deeply or carefully about something; pondering or reflecting
He sat ruminating on the difficult decision he had to make.
Ele ficou ruminando sobre a decisão difícil que tinha que tomar.
3. obsessively thinking about negative thoughts or past events
She was ruminating about her failed relationship.
Ela estava ruminando sobre seu relacionamento fracassado.
In both American and Brazilian English/Portuguese contexts, 'ruminating' is commonly used in psychological and mental health discussions, particularly regarding anxiety and depression. The term has gained prominence in modern psychology to describe unhelpful thought patterns. In agricultural contexts, it maintains its biological meaning across all English-speaking regions.
NYC Slang
stewing / mulling it over / stuck in your head
Synonyms / Sinônimos
ponderingreflectingcontemplatingmeditatingdeliberatingbroodingcogitating
Antonyms / Antônimos
ignoringdismissingforgettingacting impulsively

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
ruminando
standard usage for both animal and cognitive meanings
São Paulo
ruminando / pensando fundo
may use 'pensando fundo' colloquially for the reflection meaning
Portugal
ruminando
identical usage to Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
ruminando / pensando demais
colloquially 'pensando demais' (thinking too much) for obsessive rumination

Related Words

ruminateruminantruminationcontemplationmeditationreflection

Related Idioms & Phrases

ruminating on the past
ruminating over a problem
stop ruminating and take action
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