as in melancholy
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking
a ruminative man, who contributed to discussions only after he had completely thought things through
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 ruminative
But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow.
—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
19 June 2026
Their ruminative hush sets them apart in an era of instant-gratification drops.
—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
But as is fitting for a filmmaker pushing 80, awestruck innocence now co-exists with a more ruminative maturity, especially when touching on the secrecy, manipulation and deception of governmental power.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
Lily Allen, Jack Whitehall and Timothy Spall also star in Tina Gharavi's SXSW London opener, which refashions Woolf's diffuse, ruminative feminist novel into a straightforwardly inspirational tale.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
3 June 2026
And keep in mind, Dosa’s film is a ruminative and poetic love letter to a glacier, so literally and figuratively super slow moving is the perfect rollout for a film like this.
—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
3 June 2026
But nearly ten years on, as the world order unravels, the exhibition’s ruminative posture comes across as toothless and unfinished.
—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
Documentarians Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, who also gave us the ruminative Nick Cave portrait 20,000 Days on Earth (2014), use this as an elaborate framing device, the sort of oddball choice that doesn’t feel necessary yet also doesn’t detract from the goal at hand.
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
26 Jan. 2026
Scarlet feels like his biggest movie yet, a ruminative war picture that stages medieval battles and pitches its characters through the mortal coil and back.
—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
19 June 2026
Their ruminative hush sets them apart in an era of instant-gratification drops.
—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
But as is fitting for a filmmaker pushing 80, awestruck innocence now co-exists with a more ruminative maturity, especially when touching on the secrecy, manipulation and deception of governmental power.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
Lily Allen, Jack Whitehall and Timothy Spall also star in Tina Gharavi's SXSW London opener, which refashions Woolf's diffuse, ruminative feminist novel into a straightforwardly inspirational tale.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
3 June 2026
And keep in mind, Dosa’s film is a ruminative and poetic love letter to a glacier, so literally and figuratively super slow moving is the perfect rollout for a film like this.
—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
3 June 2026
But nearly ten years on, as the world order unravels, the exhibition’s ruminative posture comes across as toothless and unfinished.
—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
Documentarians Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, who also gave us the ruminative Nick Cave portrait 20,000 Days on Earth (2014), use this as an elaborate framing device, the sort of oddball choice that doesn’t feel necessary yet also doesn’t detract from the goal at hand.
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
26 Jan. 2026
Scarlet feels like his biggest movie yet, a ruminative war picture that stages medieval battles and pitches its characters through the mortal coil and back.
—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminative
Adjective
-
Not necessarily the technical side of blues music, but its emotional palette—the melancholy, vulnerability, and depth that live within those shades of blue.
-
Daeron Targaryen Daeron Targaryen, otherwise known as Daeron the Drunkard, is a bookish and melancholy Targaryen prince known for his prophetic dreams.
Adjective
-
For daily commutes and weekend trips, this versatile pack looks simple but is packed with thoughtful features.
-
While no one can eliminate the risks associated with severe weather, thoughtful preparation can reduce those risks substantially.
Adjective
-
This transparent pink has a reflective finish that creates a striking shine with one coat.
-
Make sure the shiny, reflective side is facing out.
Adjective
-
Researchers have demonstrated that contemplative practices associated with emotional regulation can influence both psychological and physiological functioning.
-
Its central hub, where the wellness offerings, main dining room and 35 of the 65 bedrooms are located, is invitingly curvaceous, with sci-fi swirls of walls and sparkling swathes of window bookended by two vast, contemplative courtyards.
Adjective
-
John Malkovich looks pensive ahead of his guest appearance in Report on the Blind at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, Sweden on June 22.
-
For Waititi, the film has lots of comedic parts while retaining the pensive beauty of the original text.
Adjective
-
Outside, a landscaped terrace with original brickwork features native, medicinal plants and herbs for a true meditative essence.
-
Just over a year after releasing the meditative instrumental EP 7 piano sketches, André 3000 has expanded the project into a short film.
Cite this Entry
“Ruminative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminative. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
