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 strength of the novel — and the source of its melancholy tone — is in its scope.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Forte, and everyone else in the room, loved it, and as the lights went up, doubt and melancholy turned into frustration and confusion.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of melancholy
Adjective
  • Construction workers in reflective vests and hardhats formed a semicircle for the cameras.
    — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • August’s number is likewise not reflective of job growth writ large this year, which is tracking at about 80,000 roles per month.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of reflective
Adjective
  • The fall 2026 collections leaned into this expression of individuality, showcasing an array of accents that encourage thoughtful experimentation.
    — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Every element is artful, thoughtful—a genuine expression of the Sersales’ enduring love affair with contemporary art and cultural storytelling.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • Although there’s a practical and personal basis to Wayne’s newfound commitment, there’s also a philosophical one that’s reflected in the movie’s title.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Its founders and many of its early employees were sympathetic to the utilitarian philosophical movement known as effective altruism.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of philosophical
Adjective
  • The Sisters embody a unique culture of prayer, silence, solitude and community, living in a contemplative and cloistered order.
    — Kelly Wilkinson, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2026
  • After that feral beginning, the rest of the album is mostly contemplative, wistful, and understated, amid cascading guitars and various sounds that are at times acoustic or gently swirling.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 25 Aug. 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 7 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ruminant

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ruminant

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