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
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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
-
The play can create some real melancholy.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
18 June 2026
-
Americans are in a melancholy mood as the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Create an agenda that names who does what, and map the route so your thoughtful plan serves the group together.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 June 2026
-
Over the years, Lucas and his wife have transformed the space from a simple above-ground pool into a backyard destination complete with thoughtful upgrades and finishing touches.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
Despite setbacks, Trout remains a superstar, but his comments about Philly appear more reflective than predictive of a move.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
The officers, wearing reflective vests, were outside their patrol cars, which were set in place with flashing lights to detour motorists, police said.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
The music from the Los Angeles alternative/space-rock trio remains cinematic, deeply melodic, contemplative, and filled with darkness.—
Steve Appleford,
SPIN,
16 June 2026
-
Meanwhile, many in the neighborhood will see this as a beautiful place to take a contemplative stroll or sit and read a book in the sun or sled in the snow.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
For Waititi, the film has lots of comedic parts while retaining the pensive beauty of the original text.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
18 June 2026
-
Or a mature, pensive Robin Hood, by Sean Connery.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Its hybrid analog-digital approach allows Alfa free rein to actualize his impulses, while the meditative atmosphere prompts reflection on where those impulses come from.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
16 June 2026
-
He is now celebrated in his native Philadelphia at Calder Gardens, a meditative museum where his abstract pieces look right at home.—
Julie Belcove,
Robb Report,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruminative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminative. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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