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
Despite this, one of the more poignant bronzes her mother made at this time is of Flora, seated quietly in an armchair, the curve of her body and downcast expression manifesting her pensive mood.
—
Fiona Donovan, Vanity Fair, 30 Dec. 2025
There’s Walter’s serene cello and Marjorie’s pensive, slightly coy violin, sometimes playful or petulant or, still, a little vain and secretive — other times thin and trembling, lost in the haze of dementia.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
Some of us prefer our Christmas music on the pensive side, with wistful lyrics about dusky snowfalls and memories.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
The actor sported a pensive expression while filming scenes for 1998's The Man in the Iron Mask.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Fiona Donovan, Vanity Fair, 30 Dec. 2025
There’s Walter’s serene cello and Marjorie’s pensive, slightly coy violin, sometimes playful or petulant or, still, a little vain and secretive — other times thin and trembling, lost in the haze of dementia.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
Some of us prefer our Christmas music on the pensive side, with wistful lyrics about dusky snowfalls and memories.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
The actor sported a pensive expression while filming scenes for 1998's The Man in the Iron Mask.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
Adjective
-
Not with breaking transfer news but with an umpteenth text asking what was up and, with more melancholy, why more wasn’t up and why everyone was being so frugal.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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The experience promises to be bracingly new, chaotic, and exciting, but there was inevitably a melancholy tinge to this year’s edition, which became, in effect—and affect—an eleven-day farewell.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And thanks to a thoughtful renovation, this particular farmhouse is ready to begin its next chapter.—
Miriam Schwartz,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
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In his view, growth means extending the reach of a thoughtful approach while preserving the personal relationships that define his work.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Sweat If the film looks moist and the surfaces looks reflective, that’s exactly the look Fennell and Davies were going for.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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Congress should take a practical, comprehensive approach that strengthens border security while creating an immigration system that is orderly, humane, and reflective of our values.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Less inviting and contemplative than aggressive and giddy, its priority isn’t to ask the audience to step outside their own perspective and examine how their behavior may contribute to similar hostilities.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
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That is really the reason for engaging in contemplative practices.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Guthrie's three children also shared a somber and tearful plea that evening, asking for their mother to be returned home after her disappearance, now in its fifth day.—
Helen Rummel,
AZCentral.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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The western Maryland battleground still carries a somber, haunting energy, a reminder of the war’s steep cost.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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