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
The pensive sophistication and opalescent style with which the film unparcels its ideas might not please arthouse crowds wanting broader emotional gestures, but Dulude-De Celles may be a festival-circuit major in the making.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
Dreher fell into a pensive mood.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Social butterfly Venus and pensive Chiron are waltzing through your learning zone and your social sector, showing off just how much your friends can teach you — purposefully or not.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Volpe never pushes for emotional effect, showing restraint with her use of Oliver Coates’ melancholy, pensive score.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
Dreher fell into a pensive mood.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Social butterfly Venus and pensive Chiron are waltzing through your learning zone and your social sector, showing off just how much your friends can teach you — purposefully or not.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Volpe never pushes for emotional effect, showing restraint with her use of Oliver Coates’ melancholy, pensive score.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
Adjective
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In fact, talking about softball made her … kind of melancholy.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The faces of Al Pacino and John Cazale are unmistakable — Pacino’s eyelashes, Cazale’s tundra of a forehead, their little-boyishness in close-up, the anxiety and melancholy in their eyes.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
October 23 – November 21 This morning favors calm, thoughtful exchanges.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
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As with the others, Bjorn and wife and creative director Julija’s thoughtful touches are everywhere, from the singular pieces of vintage decor that fill the rooms to the economical (and ecological) construction of the cabins.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Aries season is in full swing through the 19th, bringing a surge of forward momentum, physical energy, and the desire to begin again after March's more reflective tone.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
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Other tips include riding defensively around cars, using front and rear lights, wearing reflective vests in the dark, and avoiding biking under the influence of drugs or alcohol.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Reichardt, whose contemplative fiction films often blur the boundary between narrative and observation, will receive a retrospective and present a personal selection of documentaries, while Loznitsa will present an extensive retrospective including early short works.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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There’s a quieter, more contemplative side of Thoreau that the docuseries also explores.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The past few days’ fallout is a long way from any somber scene like that.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
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The glow of hundreds of candles illuminated somber faces, sobs often cutting through the silence in the crisp spring air.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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