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
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Recent Examples of contemplative
The outside world recedes, giving way to a contemplative atmosphere where sound, light, and material work together to slow perception.
—
Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Participants are able to create a schedule for themselves that supports more solo contemplative space or lively group experiences.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
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
There’s a quieter, more contemplative side of Thoreau that the docuseries also explores.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contemplative
Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Participants are able to create a schedule for themselves that supports more solo contemplative space or lively group experiences.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
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
There’s a quieter, more contemplative side of Thoreau that the docuseries also explores.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contemplative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplative
Adjective
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Most importantly, playing prominent roles alongside a respected veteran and thoughtful mentor in Zibanejad really seemed to propel the young wingers, who finished the season by combining for 43 points (24 for Lafrenière and 19 for Perreault) in the final 23 games.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
August 23 – September 22 One thoughtful move today creates real momentum.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Scenic designer Beowulf Boritt’s quaint tearoom seems both real and hallucinatory, with a melancholy rain pouring down in the background.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
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The rest of us should ask ourselves why the melancholy Dane is rearing his head again.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Wabi-sabi design helps create a home that feels authentic, relaxed, and reflective of your real life.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Yet where its predecessor often had a reflective tone, their latest is about high-energy garage-rock catharsis, getting in a room and blasting away and letting the noise be your guide.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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These zero gravity chairs can make relaxing outside feel meditative.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
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The design, architecture and landscaping are soothing and meditative, with a yoga platform set above a tactile stone path zig-zagging through grasses and scented plants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The undercurrent of pensive sadness gives the movie an emotional depth that helps counter its relatively rote approach.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
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After the lecture, the audience was visibly pensive.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Perhaps Cora was resistant to certain moves or philosophical changes that Breslow wanted to see implemented.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
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Over the last year, however, much of that feedback has been met by philosophical soliloquies and redirection.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemplative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplative. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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