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
Becerra, known for exploring themes of social and familial rupture—draws on his own teenage experiences to craft a raw, contemplative portrait of youth on the edge.
—
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Cam, who grieves his father throughout the film, allowed Withers to show that even the toughest men in the world have their contemplative moments.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
Periodic voice-over offers peeks into Lionel’s head, but Hermanus prefers to let the character, through whose perspective the film unfolds, spend most of his time in contemplative silence, leaving blank spaces we’re invited to fill in with richer emotional grappling than we’re given onscreen.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
To retrain focus, Bovee also suggested distraction-free spaces, analog activities like journaling or reading print books, and contemplative practices like meditation.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplative
Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Cam, who grieves his father throughout the film, allowed Withers to show that even the toughest men in the world have their contemplative moments.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
Periodic voice-over offers peeks into Lionel’s head, but Hermanus prefers to let the character, through whose perspective the film unfolds, spend most of his time in contemplative silence, leaving blank spaces we’re invited to fill in with richer emotional grappling than we’re given onscreen.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
To retrain focus, Bovee also suggested distraction-free spaces, analog activities like journaling or reading print books, and contemplative practices like meditation.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contemplative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplative
Adjective
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The beautiful work Ashley did as Tunde was thoughtful and honest.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
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Architectural kitten heels and mid wedges were everywhere, from The Row and Alaïa to Neous, each striking that perfect balance between thoughtful design and true wearability.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Their sound was more sweet and melancholy.—
David Hill,
Rolling Stone,
15 Oct. 2025
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The manager who is so often the picture of calm had reddened eyes, a hint of melancholy in his voice.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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All colors change under different lights, but white is one of the biggest offenders due to its highly reflective quality.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Oct. 2025
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First, on darker mornings and evenings, be bright and be seen—reflective gear and a small light go a long way.—
Belal Aftab,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Bells resonated throughout the space, while a meditative composition by Poeji welcomed guests into a serene atmosphere.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
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Moss and resin mingle to create a gorgeously woodsy, meditative fragrance that brings the crisp calm of the coniferous tree indoors.—
Michael Stefanov,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The post included a series of pictures of D’Angelo in the studio, as well as a snap of the two musicians in which D is giving one of his classic pensive, knowing looks and Hill is smiling as the pair lean their heads together.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
15 Oct. 2025
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Stephen depicts the women’s schooltime bond in hypnotic flashbacks, and their separation largely through absence itself, with gliding, pensive shots of places—rooms, buildings, streets—where the women have been and may be again but which, onscreen, are vacant.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Not all horror stories rely on jump scares and violent spectacle; some unearth their horrors from unnerving philosophical considerations.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
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The novel intertwines elements of espionage with philosophical explorations of human history, environmentalism, and the complexities of identity and manipulation.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemplative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplative. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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