as in thoughtful
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking
a contemplative person who likes to go on solitary walks the contemplative life of the monks at the abbey
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contemplative
His contemplative, emotionally nuanced storytelling has established him as a significant voice in contemporary Japanese cinema.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 May 2025
Some are more humorous observations of people and situations, while others are more contemplative.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 10 June 2025
Outside the Casa Sanlorenzo, a contemplative Venetian Garden offers space for contemplation.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Ed’s blush somehow managed to overlap his cheeks and spread across his chin, his forehead, his ears, and into his greatest receptacle of all: his kindly, contemplative soul.
—Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplative
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 May 2025
Some are more humorous observations of people and situations, while others are more contemplative.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 10 June 2025
Outside the Casa Sanlorenzo, a contemplative Venetian Garden offers space for contemplation.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Ed’s blush somehow managed to overlap his cheeks and spread across his chin, his forehead, his ears, and into his greatest receptacle of all: his kindly, contemplative soul.
—Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplative
Adjective
-
Fans show up to the Cowboy Carter tour in thoughtful, inventive takes on Western Americana fashion, stadiums filled with denim, bandanas, cowboy hats, and looks that don’t just scream U.S.A but hoot and holler.—
Leah Faye Cooper,
Vogue,
4 July 2025
-
The rare scary movie that's also a thoughtful exploration of family, tribalism and remembering the dead.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
The pair's scenes are stunningly well-written, tasking the actors with navigating a whirlwind of anger, frustration, melancholy, and love in tight, uncomfortable spaces.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
-
The film’s odd tone — propulsive yet melancholy, cutting yet reflective — seems to embody the fact that nothing ever stays the same.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Faculty at Ivy League and other top schools are encouraged to revisit their course policies regularly, experiment with new pedagogical methods, and guide students through the process of using AI in responsible, reflective ways.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
On July 5, the low angle of the sun will cast prominent shadows along the eastern rim of the impact crater, while highlighting reflective debris streaks known as ejecta rays that were cast out during its creation some 800 million years ago.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
Located in the tiny town of North Haven, the elegant estate was designed in close collaboration with architect William J. Reese and draws heavy inspiration from the work of Japanese master Tadao Ando, whose signature style favors elemental materials, clean geometry, and a kind of meditative calm.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 July 2025
-
For example, the HeartMath Institute focuses on establishing personal, inner coherence between heart and brain waves and, from there, establishing group coherence in a meditative practice that spans the globe.—
Ginny Whitelaw,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
The show ran for two seasons. 07 of 18 Sean Penn and Hopper Penn Sean Penn and Robin Wright's son, Hopper — pictured here with sister Dylan — shares his father's pensive stare and has opened up about his no-nonsense parenting style while growing up.—
Lydia Price,
People.com,
11 June 2025
-
His subtle direction also basks in critical moments of silence: a smoke break outside the classroom, the frustrated focus during an exam, and the pensive, haunting opening and closing image of Marjan looking out through semi-transparent curtains.—
Christian Lewis,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Jefferson rooted the Declaration in natural philosophy, or the philosophical study of nature and the physical universe without consideration of supernatural causes.—
Time,
Time,
1 July 2025
-
Barry Lam teaches in the philosophy department at the University of California, Riverside, and hosts a popular podcast, Hi-Phi Nation, which applies philosophical modes of inquiry to everyday topics.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplative. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share