meditative

adjective

ˈme-də-ˌtā-tiv How to pronounce meditative (audio)
Definition of meditativenext
as in thoughtful
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking I've been in a meditative mood all day

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 meditative For me, the closest cinema has come capturing that randomness and unfairness is Jane Campion’s beautiful and meditative Bright Star, which tells the love story of Romantic poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne and of Keats’ death at 25 of tuberculosis. — Sarah Chihaya, Vulture, 16 July 2026 The result is a meditative action movie both immense and intimate, albeit one whose flow is impeded by the inherently episodic nature of the nonlinear source material and some questionable casting choices. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 Commodity Rain follows in these iconic scents’ footprints with a splash of bergamot, lotus, and meditative musks. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 15 July 2026 Besides the income, Kabouli said doing tatreez can be grounding, almost meditative. — ABC News, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for meditative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meditative
  1. thoughtful
  2. melancholy
  3. reflective
  4. contemplative
  5. philosophical
  6. pensive
Adjective
  • Through movement, restoration, thoughtful hospitality and a profound connection to the California coast, each stay becomes an opportunity to return home feeling renewed.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 31 July 2026
  • While our designers both agree that bare wooden stairs are a style and safety issue, Spalding prefers to incorporate the practicality of carpet on stairs with a thoughtful runner.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 30 July 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • Elsewhere, sharp use is made of a playful score by longtime Johnson collaborator Jay McCarrol, with sleepy piano passages echoing underlying notes of melancholy.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026
  • The resulting track carries a hint of classic Athens melancholy while centering on one of Chura’s most hopeful songs to date.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 23 July 2026
Definition of melancholy
Adjective
  • The set balanced crowd favorites with deeper cuts, moving comfortably between reflective moments and full-throttle rockers.
    — Jamie Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • The exterior material has a glossy, highly reflective, mirrorlike patent leather sheen.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Definition of reflective
Adjective
  • The Final Painting fittingly has a contemplative tone, with slow, spellbound songs that seem both off-the-cuff and profoundly lived in.
    — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 31 July 2026
  • The animation perfectly complements its contemplative pace, drawing us deeper into its haunting world.
    — William Earl, Variety, 25 July 2026
Definition of contemplative
Adjective
  • Her research explores questions about the nature of the self, decision-making, temporal experience, philosophical methodology, causation, causal experience, time and time’s arrow, perception, mereology, constitution, and essence.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 2 Aug. 2026
  • But Cheogyal and his classmates studied the history of Tibetan dynasties, logic, philosophical systems, poetry, linguistics, and astrology – core subjects in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of philosophical
Adjective
  • The pensive, prettier songs do not always play to his strengths.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
  • John Malkovich looks pensive ahead of his guest appearance in Report on the Blind at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, Sweden on June 22.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
Definition of pensive

Browse Nearby Words

meditations
meditative
medium
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meditative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meditative. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on meditative

Nglish: Translation of meditative for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of torpor

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All