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Synonyms

thinking

American  
[thing-king] / ˈθɪŋ kɪŋ /

adjective

  1. rational; reasoning.

    People are thinking animals.

  2. thoughtful; reflective.

    Any thinking person would reject that plan.


noun

  1. thought; think; thought; judgment, reflection.

    clear thinking.

thinking British  
/ ˈθɪŋkɪŋ /

noun

  1. opinion or judgment

  2. the process of thought

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. (prenominal) using or capable of using intelligent thought

    thinking people

  2. to ponder a matter or problem

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonthinking adjective
  • thinkingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of thinking

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English thenking (noun); think 1, -ing 2, -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And the more I read, the more it opened up thinking, like, how would a very strong family react to this?

From Los Angeles Times

Adapting to these changes requires new thinking and new approaches, he said, including efforts to use water more efficiently, recycle more wastewater, capture more runoff to replenish groundwater, and change how reservoirs are operated.

From Los Angeles Times

Ziminsky said her thinking on 529s changed when her mother died six months into retirement, after a lifetime of saving in accounts she barely touched.

From The Wall Street Journal

Molly’s is the movie’s funniest line, partly because of Ms. Field’s delivery, partly because we’re all thinking the same thing—that no one is going to escape this film with his or her dignity intact.

From The Wall Street Journal

The kind of place where you can settle in fast—whether that’s chasing the perfect ribeye, grabbing a rooftop drink, or ordering something so good you’re still thinking about it weeks later.

From Salon