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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminative
Adjective
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The pair's scenes are stunningly well-written, tasking the actors with navigating a whirlwind of anger, frustration, melancholy, and love in tight, uncomfortable spaces.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
3 July 2025 -
The film’s odd tone — propulsive yet melancholy, cutting yet reflective — seems to embody the fact that nothing ever stays the same.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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The dress even has thoughtful front pockets for stashing goods on the go.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 July 2025
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Director Hyuk Jae-kwon creates a seductively eerie mood with thoughtful visual effects and discordant background noises.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Faculty at Ivy League and other top schools are encouraged to revisit their course policies regularly, experiment with new pedagogical methods, and guide students through the process of using AI in responsible, reflective ways.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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On July 5, the low angle of the sun will cast prominent shadows along the eastern rim of the impact crater, while highlighting reflective debris streaks known as ejecta rays that were cast out during its creation some 800 million years ago.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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Released in March, the 14-track project does sound simultaneously disorderly and controlled, at once bursting at the seams and laced with moments of contemplative chill.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
3 July 2025
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This immensely slow-moving and contemplative energy joins us into Leo season, which starts when the sun enters this confident fire sign on July 22.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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The show ran for two seasons. 07 of 18 Sean Penn and Hopper Penn Sean Penn and Robin Wright's son, Hopper — pictured here with sister Dylan — shares his father's pensive stare and has opened up about his no-nonsense parenting style while growing up.—
Lydia Price,
People.com,
11 June 2025
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His subtle direction also basks in critical moments of silence: a smoke break outside the classroom, the frustrated focus during an exam, and the pensive, haunting opening and closing image of Marjan looking out through semi-transparent curtains.—
Christian Lewis,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Located in the tiny town of North Haven, the elegant estate was designed in close collaboration with architect William J. Reese and draws heavy inspiration from the work of Japanese master Tadao Ando, whose signature style favors elemental materials, clean geometry, and a kind of meditative calm.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 July 2025
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For example, the HeartMath Institute focuses on establishing personal, inner coherence between heart and brain waves and, from there, establishing group coherence in a meditative practice that spans the globe.—
Ginny Whitelaw,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Ruminative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminative. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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