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
Scenes of long discussions seem brisk, even at pensive tempi, because of the way that the lines uttered strike off one another—and because of the energetically thoughtful performances that bring the characters to life.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
In such an intimate, pensive atmosphere, characters emerge gradually out of the rugged landscape like windswept trees or weathered stones.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Please submit your answers via old-timey telegraphs — and an expansion of his thematic preoccupations, The Phoenician Scheme finds our man Wes in a somewhat pensive mood.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Anderson proves worthy of some knockout emotional moments, Jamie Lee Curtis shines as a feisty cocktail waitress, and Dave Bautista steals scenes as the show's pensive stage manager.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
In such an intimate, pensive atmosphere, characters emerge gradually out of the rugged landscape like windswept trees or weathered stones.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
Please submit your answers via old-timey telegraphs — and an expansion of his thematic preoccupations, The Phoenician Scheme finds our man Wes in a somewhat pensive mood.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Anderson proves worthy of some knockout emotional moments, Jamie Lee Curtis shines as a feisty cocktail waitress, and Dave Bautista steals scenes as the show's pensive stage manager.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
Adjective
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But the overriding feeling of the work is melancholy.—
Hugh Morris,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
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Anna, an American student at Harvard, falls deeply and unaccountably in love with Christoph, who is on exchange from Germany, in this melancholy début novel.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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These aren’t edge cases but increasingly common scenarios requiring thoughtful, human-centric design.—
Anuradha Gupta,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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An artistic 14-year-old boy known for his thoughtful nature drowned just weeks before starting high school, Michigan officials say.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Kirilenko described her holding cell inside 26 Federal Plaza as a cold, cement room where women slept on benches or the floor, with just reflective blankets to keep them warm.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
9 Aug. 2025
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But behind the scenes, producers say the making of Chaotic was reflective of its title, mostly because the network, UPN, had purchased all of Spears’s footage unseen and then looked to producers to craft a multi-episode series.—
Krystie Lee Yandoli,
Glamour,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Then there's the Parker's Heritage Reserve Stout, perhaps the most nuanced and contemplative beer in the lineup.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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Parts of The Scout, in its contemplative tone and observational style, reminded me of Perfect Days.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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High-contrast, stark black-and-white tones, water droplets and a somber expression emerging from shadows.—
Evan J. Schwartz,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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There were no somber emotions this time from Dončić’s side, with Balkan music blasting throughout the practice facility before he and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka held a news conference to celebrate Dončić’s extension.—
Khobi Price,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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