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
  • Madeleine is beautiful and melancholy, spending hours driving around San Francisco and contemplating a painting that seems to haunt her.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Gentling the Horse’s absurdist humor and breakneck tempos signify a sharp break from 2023’s melancholy The Art of Forgetting.
    — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of melancholy
Adjective
  • Media companies — like ours — will be there to keep you company, of course, in our case with superb analysis and a thoughtful afternoon livestream.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The Woobles Beginner Crochet Amigurumi Kits are fun for experienced stitchers and beginners alike, and make for thoughtful holiday gifts, too.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • While reminiscing during the July reunion, a reflective Epstein described feeling liberated after the Cubs returned from Cleveland with the World Series trophy in hand.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The experiment described, which intentionally seeks to elicit a particular response, is not representative of how most voters use ChatGPT or reflective of their experience.
    — Katie McQue, NPR, 2 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
  • Back then, it was painted in a somber shade of Battleship Grey and, surprisingly, built without a customer order.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The daughter of a brass tree guest told me that on the last day, her mother pulled her aside and offered a somber warning.
    — Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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