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
Ava takes herself for a pensive solo walk in comically wide pants.
—
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 29 May 2026
With stories focused on surviving rowdy family, moments of loneliness, struggles with faith, and navigating our deepest human relationships, Johnson’s abilities as a pensive storyteller are conducted masterfully.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2026
Historically, Rostam solo albums are full of pensive and personal moments—reflections on life while taking long walks, weighing conflicted emotions while lounging in bed—and this one is no exception.
—Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026
The Bookie & The Bruiser is set in 1959 New York City and features a pensive Jewish fellow named Rivner (James) and an oversized Italian-American tough named Boscolo (Vaughn).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 29 May 2026
With stories focused on surviving rowdy family, moments of loneliness, struggles with faith, and navigating our deepest human relationships, Johnson’s abilities as a pensive storyteller are conducted masterfully.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2026
Historically, Rostam solo albums are full of pensive and personal moments—reflections on life while taking long walks, weighing conflicted emotions while lounging in bed—and this one is no exception.
—Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026
The Bookie & The Bruiser is set in 1959 New York City and features a pensive Jewish fellow named Rivner (James) and an oversized Italian-American tough named Boscolo (Vaughn).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
Adjective
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My nostalgia—more like melancholy—for Disneyland has waned but is not absent.—
Steve Martin,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
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But the melancholy pop soundtrack (Gracie Abrams, Lana del Rey, Noah Cyrus) and many, many longing gazes suggest we’re meant to find all of this terribly moving, rather than exhausting.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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Regardless of one’s position, a decision about downtown’s historic core deserves thoughtful public discussion.—
Sarah M. Boye,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
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General Daily Insight for June 14, 2026 Fresh pages wait for thoughtful words tonight.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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Another photo shared by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency shows someone in a reflective jacket using a flashlight during the search.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
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Full Zip Jacket The Columbia Powder Lite II is a cold-weather MVP thanks to its lightweight insulation and heat-reflective lining, which work together to keep you warm without the bulk.—
Michelle Tchea,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Released in March, the 14-track project does sound simultaneously disorderly and controlled, at once bursting at the seams and laced with moments of contemplative chill.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
3 July 2025
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The space is more intense and intimate, the mood somber, contemplative.—
Jerry Saltz,
Vulture,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Adams does not stop for meaning, his early minimalist style causing the words to flow over you whether in somber reflection or the wildness of wild nights that do, indeed, stop for death.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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But the festival began on a more somber note.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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