as in melancholy
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking
rainy days often put her in a pensive mood
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pensive
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
The subject is pensive, expressionless and looking away from the camera.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pensive
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
The subject is pensive, expressionless and looking away from the camera.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
Adjective
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Lines that seem artlessly off-the-cuff on first pass accrue an unexpected weight and purpose the fourth time through; the countrified guitar lick that sounds so chipper at the start of a song is dripping with melancholy by the end.—
Stuart Berman,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2026
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Louis’s memories form an immersive, spellbinding confession of betrayal, murder, and melancholy with palpable sensuality.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Rather, Mitchell said the decision to exclude candidates was made after thoughtful consideration and a two-thirds vote of the party’s roughly 50-member executive board.—
Matthew Kelly
Updated June 7,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
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The younger dude's use of Rick's musical idea and turning it into a worldwide hit sparks a thoughtful quest about fame and credit.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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One of the vehicles also had a light-up arrow, and all three workers had their yellow and orange reflective gear on.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
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But the season was also a reflective one.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Through Arnold’s lens, the Hollywood icon is quiet, contemplative and natural.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
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Family Akelarre is an adults-forward hotel, designed more for couples and contemplative travelers than for toddlers with energy to burn.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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There’s a somber scene in a new documentary about Patrick Kelly, where executive producers Jess Manning and Ray Cornelius are at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center, about to dive into research about the late fashion designer.—
Bianca Betancourt,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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But after seven episodes wearing down the viewer with a bleak perspective, in the season finale, Euphoria pulls itself out of its own somber patterns to reach for grace and mercy in Christian symbolism, American wholesomeness, and the concept of family.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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