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
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
Little Wide Open is a reflection of his time spent on the road as an adult, and that contemplative gratitude comes through.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
Some of the frescoes covering the walls and vaulted ceilings depict the mysteries of the rosaries and were meant to encourage the contemplative life of the Dominican friars living in the convent.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contemplative
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
Little Wide Open is a reflection of his time spent on the road as an adult, and that contemplative gratitude comes through.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
Some of the frescoes covering the walls and vaulted ceilings depict the mysteries of the rosaries and were meant to encourage the contemplative life of the Dominican friars living in the convent.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contemplative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplative
Adjective
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Wisdom, compassion, and thoughtful policy are necessary over the question of transgenderism more generally.—
Lisa Frizell,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
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In addition to having more time to craft thoughtful responses, this also gives you more time to, well, live your life!—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In fact, talking about softball made her … kind of melancholy.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
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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
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Her portrayals – reflective of real people – will live on in television history for their honesty, wit and charm.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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Both will be surrounded by streaks of bright, reflective material that were cast out during the violent asteroid impacts that formed the craters.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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These live versions dynamite that meditative hollow or expand it to the size of a megachurch.—
Mitch Therieau,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
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Tune into yourself while tuning out the outside world courtesy of an E-bike ride under the Tuscan sun, a stroll through the olive groves, a dip in the infinity pool, a meditative massage, or a private cooking class using ingredients sourced from the property.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Big horizons meet daily realities as the instinctive Moon explores your pensive 9th house and squares Jupiter in your sensible 6th house.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
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Gonzalez describes him as serious, pensive, charming and easy to like.—
Vanessa Murdock,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Over the last 25 years, Nolan has delivered film after film that deftly balances mainstream appeal with eye-popping visuals, inventive narrative structures and special effects, and existential and/or philosophical themes.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 Apr. 2026
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The reasons stated were geopolitical and philosophical.—
Laurie Kellman,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contemplative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplative. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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