as in melancholy
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking
rainy days often put her in a pensive mood
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pensive
Please submit your answers via old-timey telegraphs — and an expansion of his thematic preoccupations, The Phoenician Scheme finds our man Wes in a somewhat pensive mood.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Anderson proves worthy of some knockout emotional moments, Jamie Lee Curtis shines as a feisty cocktail waitress, and Dave Bautista steals scenes as the show's pensive stage manager.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 May 2025
For a few seconds, save for a piano playing a few pensive notes, there was silence.
—Edwin Goei, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
In the film, Johansson’s character, a lonely young woman, bonds with a pensive movie star played by Bill Murray in Tokyo.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pensive
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
Anderson proves worthy of some knockout emotional moments, Jamie Lee Curtis shines as a feisty cocktail waitress, and Dave Bautista steals scenes as the show's pensive stage manager.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 May 2025
For a few seconds, save for a piano playing a few pensive notes, there was silence.
—Edwin Goei, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
In the film, Johansson’s character, a lonely young woman, bonds with a pensive movie star played by Bill Murray in Tokyo.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
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
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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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While plaintiff opposition reflects legitimate concerns, these can be addressed with thoughtful defense strategies.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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With thoughtful policy and community input, towns can balance the need for homes with the imperative to protect the natural spaces that define their landscape and legacy.—
John Emmanuel,
Hartford Courant,
14 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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Both provocative and contemplative, the film caused a steady stream of walkouts during its premiere in competition at Karlovy Vary.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
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Experiences like this that are very music-forward are meant to be contemplative in a certain respect as well.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The work’s third movement offers an intriguing pizzicato section, as well moments of discordant — though not somber — unease.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
11 July 2025
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On Wednesday, hundreds prayed, wept and held one another at a prayer service, among the first of many somber gatherings to come in the weeks ahead.—
Nadia Lathan,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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