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
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The rest of us should ask ourselves why the melancholy Dane is rearing his head again.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
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Hein’s memories turn out to be underscored not only by longing and melancholy, but an instinct of self-preservation.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Wiener is a thoughtful lawmaker who championed groundbreaking housing-deregulation laws, but in this case that San Francisco progressive won out.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
12 Apr. 2026
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The best Mother’s Day gift ideas aren’t always the most obvious—they’re the ones that feel personal, thoughtful, and just a little indulgent.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Made of reflective material, this leash assures the safety of both you and your pet when the sun goes down.—
Christina Shepherd McGuire,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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Kovács, who is more reflective in person than his bulldog persona online, told me that Hungary’s election system is secure.—
Isaac Stanley-Becker,
The Atlantic,
10 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 band also hopes to provide a jolt of musical energy at otherwise somber protests.—
Adrian Florido,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2026
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Picasso's grandson, Olivier Widmaier Picasso, said the painting is rendered in the artist's signature style and the grey, white and cream composition reflects the sombre mood of the era, per Reuters.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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