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
The pensive sophistication and opalescent style with which the film unparcels its ideas might not please arthouse crowds wanting broader emotional gestures, but Dulude-De Celles may be a festival-circuit major in the making.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
Dreher fell into a pensive mood.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Social butterfly Venus and pensive Chiron are waltzing through your learning zone and your social sector, showing off just how much your friends can teach you — purposefully or not.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Volpe never pushes for emotional effect, showing restraint with her use of Oliver Coates’ melancholy, pensive score.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
Dreher fell into a pensive mood.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Social butterfly Venus and pensive Chiron are waltzing through your learning zone and your social sector, showing off just how much your friends can teach you — purposefully or not.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Volpe never pushes for emotional effect, showing restraint with her use of Oliver Coates’ melancholy, pensive score.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
Adjective
-
In fact, talking about softball made her … kind of melancholy.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
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
-
October 23 – November 21 This morning favors calm, thoughtful exchanges.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
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As with the others, Bjorn and wife and creative director Julija’s thoughtful touches are everywhere, from the singular pieces of vintage decor that fill the rooms to the economical (and ecological) construction of the cabins.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 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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Privacy may struggle within a buzzing neighborhood as the Sun in your contemplative 12th house pokes indulgent Jupiter in your 3rd House of Messages.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
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The Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-ji and the views from Kiyomizudera are the city’s big stars, but the statuary hall at Sanjusangendo is a contemplative escape.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The past few days’ fallout is a long way from any somber scene like that.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
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The glow of hundreds of candles illuminated somber faces, sobs often cutting through the silence in the crisp spring air.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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