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ruminant

adjective

Definition of ruminantnext
as in melancholy
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking I wandered around campus all day in a ruminant mood

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminant
  1. melancholy
  2. reflective
  3. thoughtful
  4. philosophical
  5. contemplative
Adjective
  • The four romances are bittersweet, about love that is marked by melancholy, ends too soon, or never got a chance to begin.
    — James Folta, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Here, though, the melancholy sinks in, especially when O’Flynn’s parents (Marion Bailey and Paul Jesson) are concerned.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of melancholy
Adjective
  • This is balanced with white branding hits, while the Air Max 95’s signature reflective tongue and heel hits remain.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • All parents struggle in some way to adjust to life as empty nesters, but Charlie leaves his mom and dad in a somber, reflective state that casts a heavy pall over an episode that drifts toward the turgid.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of reflective
Adjective
  • Built from water-resistant, 100% cotton Ventile cloth, its classic design benefits from the thoughtful touch of adjustable side adjusters.
    — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Good Zero-Proof Drinks Require More Ingredients, More Time Not only is there more time and labor often involved with these very thoughtful beverages, but raw material costs add up.
    — Esther Tseng, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • Founded by two British academics almost two decades ago, Effective Altruism is a philosophical movement whose core idea is that people should try to use rational processes to do the most good for the most people in the world.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Netizens posted their exchanges with it, awed by its philosophical depth.
    — Afra Wang, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of philosophical
Adjective
  • And in Walworth County, travelers will find more of that contemplative, fall experience, according to Emma Lowecki, director of guest experience at The Belfry House.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Fernández’s adaptation is anxious to turn tragedy into a sermon, offering theatergoers moral solace where Sophocles leaves his audience in a contemplative state of stunned silence.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of contemplative
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.

Browse Nearby Words

rumbustiousness
ruminant
ruminate
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Cite this Entry

“Ruminant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminant. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ruminant

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ruminant

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