excogitate vs contemplate

excogitate and contemplate both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
excogitate	No	No	Yes	No
contemplate	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, excogitate and contemplate are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of excogitate include chew over, meditate, mull, mull over, muse, ponder, reflect, ruminate, speculate, think over.

excogitate (verb)	contemplate (verb)
reflect deeply on a subject	think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes
come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort	reflect deeply on a subject
	consider as a possibility
	look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought