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
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
Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminative
Adjective
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Following the black-and-white aesthetics and melancholy lyricism of TTPD, the high saturation and sparkles associated with Showgirl — which is comprised of flashy pop bangers — feel even more vibrant.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
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The pop icon’s 12th album, released at midnight on Friday, is being hailed for the singer’s return to upbeat pop following last year’s melancholy The Tortured Poets Department, with Swift reuniting with Swedish hitmaker producers Max Martin and Shellback.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This could be a raise, a thoughtful gift or simply learning how to value your own time more.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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By 1996, McLachlan had released several albums, with 1993’s thoughtful, moody Fumbling Towards Ecstasy marking a breakthrough.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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His reflective blue shades were perched atop a baseball cap, obscuring much of his face.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
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The pride in Plough’s expressions and the tone of his voice was reflective of the theme that every victory is to be savored in this rough-and-tumble sport, one in which no one weeps for the wounded.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Becerra, known for exploring themes of social and familial rupture—draws on his own teenage experiences to craft a raw, contemplative portrait of youth on the edge.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
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Cam, who grieves his father throughout the film, allowed Withers to show that even the toughest men in the world have their contemplative moments.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Stephen depicts the women’s schooltime bond in hypnotic flashbacks, and their separation largely through absence itself, with gliding, pensive shots of places—rooms, buildings, streets—where the women have been and may be again but which, onscreen, are vacant.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
2 Oct. 2025
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While she's drawn toward mindful and pensive reads, the former Today host appreciates some powerful fiction as well.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For me, building is both art and play, but also a meditative counterbalance to my everyday computer work.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
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But places that earn chuckles could be getting gasps and guffaws; moments that feel generally meditative could be devastating, if Lloyd were more interested in character work and less in mise en scène.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruminative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminative. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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