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
  • Elsewhere, sharp use is made of a playful score by longtime Johnson collaborator Jay McCarrol, with sleepy piano passages echoing underlying notes of melancholy.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026
  • The resulting track carries a hint of classic Athens melancholy while centering on one of Chura’s most hopeful songs to date.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 23 July 2026
Definition of melancholy
Adjective
  • The set balanced crowd favorites with deeper cuts, moving comfortably between reflective moments and full-throttle rockers.
    — Jamie Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • The exterior material has a glossy, highly reflective, mirrorlike patent leather sheen.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Definition of reflective
Adjective
  • Through movement, restoration, thoughtful hospitality and a profound connection to the California coast, each stay becomes an opportunity to return home feeling renewed.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 31 July 2026
  • While our designers both agree that bare wooden stairs are a style and safety issue, Spalding prefers to incorporate the practicality of carpet on stairs with a thoughtful runner.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 30 July 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • Her research explores questions about the nature of the self, decision-making, temporal experience, philosophical methodology, causation, causal experience, time and time’s arrow, perception, mereology, constitution, and essence.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 2 Aug. 2026
  • But Cheogyal and his classmates studied the history of Tibetan dynasties, logic, philosophical systems, poetry, linguistics, and astrology – core subjects in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of philosophical
Adjective
  • The animation perfectly complements its contemplative pace, drawing us deeper into its haunting world.
    — William Earl, Variety, 25 July 2026
  • In a statement, LACMA director and CEO Michael Govan connected Celmins’s blend of realism and imagination with Villeneuve’s contemplative and cerebral films.
    — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 15 July 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ruminant

Nglish: Translation of ruminant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ruminant

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