pensive

adjective

ˈpen(t)-siv How to pronounce pensive (audio)
Definition of pensivenext
as in melancholy
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking rainy days often put her in a pensive mood

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 pensive Her face, indisputably middle-aged, had a pensive, startled quality. — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 Or the pensive Thomas Jefferson standing in the dome across the way? — Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 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 For Waititi, the film has lots of comedic parts while retaining the pensive beauty of the original text. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
  1. melancholy
  2. thoughtful
  3. reflective
  4. contemplative
  5. somber
Adjective
  • The two are fond but sick of each other, at times bickering with real melancholy and malice.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Harry still has some of that sparkle, but it’s tempered by melancholy, the aftermath of little mistakes and big ones he’s made along the way.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of melancholy
Adjective
  • Presentation is key Welcome guests to your Friendsgiving with a thoughtful and beautifully decorated Thanksgiving table.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The compact pouch is designed to hold small essentials against your body, and its soft, breathable, skin-friendly fabric is a thoughtful detail for warmer destinations where extra layers aren’t practical.
    — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • Perception and brand names are often not reflective of reality.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The shoes are made from a lustrous metallic goatskin leather in a reflective pink shade.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of reflective
Adjective
  • The contemplative family pilgrimage drama marks the fiction-feature debut of a longtime collaborator of Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Hans Op de Beeck’s first dalliance with a luxury house feels a lot like his art — hushed, contemplative, and slightly under the radar.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of contemplative
Adjective
  • Over the decades, Rockwell tried his hand at a mix of projects—somber indies like sci-fi drama Moon (2009), studio awards contenders including The Green Mile (1999), and mainstream fare like Iron Man 2 (2010).
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril’s series goes in a more somber, ruminative direction in the back half of the eight new episodes premiering today on Netflix, balancing the season’s entertaining yet repetitive early episodes.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of somber

Browse Nearby Words

pensions
pensive
penstock
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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