as in melancholy
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking
rainy days often put her in a pensive mood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Please submit your answers via old-timey telegraphs — and an expansion of his thematic preoccupations, The Phoenician Scheme finds our man Wes in a somewhat pensive mood.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Anderson proves worthy of some knockout emotional moments, Jamie Lee Curtis shines as a feisty cocktail waitress, and Dave Bautista steals scenes as the show's pensive stage manager.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 May 2025
For a few seconds, save for a piano playing a few pensive notes, there was silence.
—Edwin Goei, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
In the film, Johansson’s character, a lonely young woman, bonds with a pensive movie star played by Bill Murray in Tokyo.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pensive
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Anderson proves worthy of some knockout emotional moments, Jamie Lee Curtis shines as a feisty cocktail waitress, and Dave Bautista steals scenes as the show's pensive stage manager.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 May 2025
For a few seconds, save for a piano playing a few pensive notes, there was silence.
—Edwin Goei, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
In the film, Johansson’s character, a lonely young woman, bonds with a pensive movie star played by Bill Murray in Tokyo.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
Adjective
-
The pair's scenes are stunningly well-written, tasking the actors with navigating a whirlwind of anger, frustration, melancholy, and love in tight, uncomfortable spaces.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
-
The film’s odd tone — propulsive yet melancholy, cutting yet reflective — seems to embody the fact that nothing ever stays the same.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
While plaintiff opposition reflects legitimate concerns, these can be addressed with thoughtful defense strategies.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Even brief pauses of three to 10 seconds can lower heart rate and blood pressure, creating space for more thoughtful reflection.—
Emily Kasriel,
CNBC,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
The smaller Kepler Crater will also be visible Both Copernicus and the smaller Kepler Crater to its left are surrounded by bright streaks of reflective material that were thrown out in the violent aftermath of their creation.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
17 July 2025
-
Yet much of the field focuses on people who are emotionally open and reflective – neglecting executives, who are often socialized to view themselves as purely rational decision-makers.—
Prince Sarpong,
The Conversation,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
Both provocative and contemplative, the film caused a steady stream of walkouts during its premiere in competition at Karlovy Vary.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
-
Experiences like this that are very music-forward are meant to be contemplative in a certain respect as well.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
The work’s third movement offers an intriguing pizzicato section, as well moments of discordant — though not somber — unease.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
11 July 2025
-
Live 00:00 06:12 06:12 Officials give timeline of response efforts as floods impacted Texas 06:12 Kerrville Police Community Services Officer Chief Jonathan Lamb painted a somber picture of how the morning of July 4 unfolded as floods took over Hunt, when most residents were asleep.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share