as in melancholy
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking
rainy days often put her in a pensive mood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pensive
The music is an odd blend of classic podcast atmospherics—pensive follow-along vibes, a little jazz, guitar-rock blasts to rev up the narrative awe—that somehow hangs together fine.
—
Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 12 May 2025
The hotel’s 134 rooms run the gamut from pensive perches over the canal to positively palatial Houses, of which there are five in total.
—Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025
This track probably won’t be the most floor-filling moment at one of Bicep’s coveted Chroma shows, but instead is prime material for the more pensive moments at the party.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2025
Driven by a longing to find her mother (Emily Watson), who fled the family years earlier, the pensive, ever-watchful girl runs away.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 12 May 2025
The hotel’s 134 rooms run the gamut from pensive perches over the canal to positively palatial Houses, of which there are five in total.
—Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025
This track probably won’t be the most floor-filling moment at one of Bicep’s coveted Chroma shows, but instead is prime material for the more pensive moments at the party.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2025
Driven by a longing to find her mother (Emily Watson), who fled the family years earlier, the pensive, ever-watchful girl runs away.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
Adjective
-
Feisty, single, and prone to melancholy, Agathe works in Paris’ legendary Shakespeare and Company bookstore.—
Peter Rainer,
Christian Science Monitor,
21 May 2025
-
Part of this is undoubtedly the work of director Dean Fleischer Camp, who is best known for directing the equally charming and melancholy Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Feels is the brainchild of Allie Hoffman, who came up with the idea for a more thoughtful IRL dating event while pursuing her master’s degree from the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
-
These practices can generate thoughtful and detailed commentary.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
The selection was emblematic of the six-song set, where a loose, reflective Vedder leaned heavily on covers.—
Eric Renner Brown,
Billboard,
13 June 2025
-
Already heading into year 10 in the NFL, Prescott shakes his head with a reflective smile any time the subject comes up.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
Some are more humorous observations of people and situations, while others are more contemplative.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
10 June 2025
-
Outside the Casa Sanlorenzo, a contemplative Venetian Garden offers space for contemplation.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
The somber financial picture leaves the city caught between cutting services to the public and finding a way to raise money.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
5 June 2025
-
The incident caused a somber scene near home plate, as Yankees teammates, coaches and personnel huddled around the always-affable 26-year-old before an ambulance took him off the field and to a nearby hospital.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share