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
There’s Walter’s serene cello and Marjorie’s pensive, slightly coy violin, sometimes playful or petulant or, still, a little vain and secretive — other times thin and trembling, lost in the haze of dementia.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
Some of us prefer our Christmas music on the pensive side, with wistful lyrics about dusky snowfalls and memories.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
The actor sported a pensive expression while filming scenes for 1998's The Man in the Iron Mask.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
The post included a series of pictures of D’Angelo in the studio, as well as a snap of the two musicians in which D is giving one of his classic pensive, knowing looks and Hill is smiling as the pair lean their heads together.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
Some of us prefer our Christmas music on the pensive side, with wistful lyrics about dusky snowfalls and memories.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
The actor sported a pensive expression while filming scenes for 1998's The Man in the Iron Mask.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
The post included a series of pictures of D’Angelo in the studio, as well as a snap of the two musicians in which D is giving one of his classic pensive, knowing looks and Hill is smiling as the pair lean their heads together.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
Adjective
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All the while, the river shimmers in the sun, blue then green, then melancholy and moody as cloud shadows sweep overhead.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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This is an example of Anderson as a unique artist who uses whimsy, melancholy, innovative storytelling and a great deal of historical research, all on display in this visually rich gem.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Open since 2023, the hotel is a thoughtful restoration of the once-chic but long dormant Union Club, the former gathering place for industrialists and politicians.—
John Bowe,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
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Nights call for dinner at Beefbar, where prime cuts and thoughtful vegetarian dishes anchor the menu.—
Molly Barstein,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec created this gorgeous look by layering a reflective, shimmery pink over a true red polish.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
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These reflective masses of relatively young material were deposited many millions of years ago during cataclysmic asteroid strikes that excavated vast basins on the lunar surface.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Duncan Simmons is a very taciturn, contemplative 16-year-old who's been through a lot.—
Ross Guidotti,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
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Weisz gives two of her best performances — aggressive and sinister here, meek and contemplative there — to craft a diabolical portrait of primal codependency.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The mood was somber, glowing, and peaceful.—
Ed Bok Lee,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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The city is home to Museum Island – a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring five world-class museums – and to historical sites like the Berlin Wall and the Holocaust Museum, which are somber yet must-visit places.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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