What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ruminating
Example
I spent the whole night ruminating on what went wrong in my presentation. [ruminating: verb]
Example
She has a habit of ruminating on past mistakes, which affects her mental health. [ruminating: gerund or present participle]
meditating
Example
I like to meditate for 10 minutes every morning to start my day with a clear mind. [meditate: verb]
Example
Meditating regularly has helped me manage my anxiety and stress levels. [meditating: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Meditating is more commonly used than ruminating in everyday language. Meditating has gained popularity in recent years due to its association with mindfulness and stress management, while ruminating is less common and can have a negative connotation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between ruminating and meditating?
Both ruminating and meditating can be used in formal and informal contexts, but meditating is often associated with a more formal or spiritual tone due to its origins in Eastern philosophy and religion.
