as in melancholy
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking
rainy days often put her in a pensive mood
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pensive
Melodically, this pensive, pop-tinged ballad makes the most of Wallen’s polished falsetto and heartfelt vocal rendering.
—
Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 6 Jan. 2025
The songs are muscular and syncretic as ever, but the normally peevish rapper doesn’t maintain his trolling energy for the full record, settling into a questioning and pensive pace.
—Stephen Kearse, TIME, 8 Dec. 2024
The main villain of the piece, Simba’s dreadful uncle Scar, is a superior bad guy, pensive and brooding rather than angry or shill.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Nov. 2024
The books have gotten longer and more pensive at the same time as they’ve been subjected to fewer cuts — witness the magnificently bloated 1Q84 (2011) or his most recent full-length novel, Killing Commendatore (2017).
—Bailey Trela, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pensive 
Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 6 Jan. 2025
The songs are muscular and syncretic as ever, but the normally peevish rapper doesn’t maintain his trolling energy for the full record, settling into a questioning and pensive pace.
—Stephen Kearse, TIME, 8 Dec. 2024
The main villain of the piece, Simba’s dreadful uncle Scar, is a superior bad guy, pensive and brooding rather than angry or shill.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Nov. 2024
The books have gotten longer and more pensive at the same time as they’ve been subjected to fewer cuts — witness the magnificently bloated 1Q84 (2011) or his most recent full-length novel, Killing Commendatore (2017).
—Bailey Trela, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
Adjective
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Still, the movie ends on a note of melancholy self-reckoning that lingers.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
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Over Martin’s delicate playing, her aching rasp resonated to the rafters, a melancholy shudder that still sounded comforting.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Savvy hotelier Jayson Seidman purchased the Italianate mansion (built by architect Thomas Sully in 1883) in 2019 and, in a thoughtful overhaul, created a true city living room.—
Jenny Adams,
AFAR Media,
11 Feb. 2025
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Through the window, a thoughtful stranger handed him an unexpected gift.—
Ronnie Li,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The numbers are reflective of the historic season delivered by Barkely, who, in his first year since leaving the Giants, totaled 15 touchdowns in the regular seasons and has five more in the playoffs.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2025
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Pete was a gentle spirit, creative, inquisitive, and reflective.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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By day, the atmosphere is contemplative and relaxing.—
Karla Cripps,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2025
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Polyhymnia Polyhymnia is the Muse of sacred poetry, hymns, and dance, often shown in a contemplative or meditative pose — though she is also associated with geometry and the sciences.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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After running a somber ad in the 2024 Super Bowl aimed at fighting hate and bigotry, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism tapped Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady in a spot that had the celebrities squaring off against one another, ticking off reasons why people don’t like one another.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
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The mood within Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar, where the awards took place, was relatively somber with each win for the Netflix musical.—
Hilary Lewis,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near pensive
Cite this Entry
“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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