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 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
The track is focused but ruminative, mirroring the circular way thoughts orbit an obsession.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 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
Contemplating passing seasons and dead flowers, Weir’s deep, lava lamp-like flow of a vocal is as sadly ruminative as Barlow’s lyrics.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
Set in Los Angeles, this ruminative novel alternates in perspective between a blockbuster actor, his best friend and sometime lover, and an aspiring screenwriter.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
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
Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
The track is focused but ruminative, mirroring the circular way thoughts orbit an obsession.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 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
Contemplating passing seasons and dead flowers, Weir’s deep, lava lamp-like flow of a vocal is as sadly ruminative as Barlow’s lyrics.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
Set in Los Angeles, this ruminative novel alternates in perspective between a blockbuster actor, his best friend and sometime lover, and an aspiring screenwriter.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
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
-
He can be wounded and sensitive (as in In the Mood for Love), mysterious and melancholy (as in Wong’s 2046), or slick and savage (as in Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution).—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
-
Certain Regard strand in 2016, or his melancholy, elegantly structured exploration of grief, Love Life, a Venice competitor from 2022.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Some of these requirements include free and fair elections, the rule of law, an independent judiciary, equal rights, separation of powers, accountability of leaders, political pluralism, a free press, majority rule tempered by minority rights and thoughtful citizen participation.—
Steven D. Reske,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
The always eminently watchable Rebecca Hall (The Man I Love, TV’s The Beauty) both anchors and buoys the tonally irregular but consistently thoughtful and compelling sci-fi comedy-drama The End of It, a feature debut for Catalan writer-director Maria Martinez Bayona.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
The fabric carries a soft, almost reflective sheen, lending the silhouette a sense of movement even at rest.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
And then an older, more mature, more reflective Kyle Busch spoke to FS1 after the race.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
A bit of water unlocks additional layers of fruit and spice, turning the whiskey into a slow-sipping, contemplative pour.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
Meditation on the River For the watchmaking executive, there’s a profoundly contemplative aspect to fly fishing, amounting to his own form of mindfulness in waders.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
With stories focused on surviving rowdy family, moments of loneliness, struggles with faith, and navigating our deepest human relationships, Johnson’s abilities as a pensive storyteller are conducted masterfully.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
22 May 2026
-
Historically, Rostam solo albums are full of pensive and personal moments—reflections on life while taking long walks, weighing conflicted emotions while lounging in bed—and this one is no exception.—
Molly Mary O’Brien,
Pitchfork,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Almost to hit a trance or meditative state.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
18 May 2026
-
There’s the relaxing and meditative Cinq Mondes & Vinésime Spa, cooking classes, a gym, tennis, padel and pickleball courts, yoga and Pilates classes, fishing, vineyard safaris, sommelier master classes, seasonal truffle hunting and more.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruminative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminative. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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