pensive

adjective

ˈpen(t)-siv How to pronounce pensive (audio)
Definition of pensivenext
as in melancholy
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking rainy days often put her in a pensive mood

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Her face, indisputably middle-aged, had a pensive, startled quality. — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 Or the pensive Thomas Jefferson standing in the dome across the way? — Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026 John Malkovich looks pensive ahead of his guest appearance in Report on the Blind at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, Sweden on June 22. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 For Waititi, the film has lots of comedic parts while retaining the pensive beauty of the original text. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
  1. melancholy
  2. thoughtful
  3. reflective
  4. contemplative
  5. somber
Adjective
  • Perhaps that doubt is the secret melancholy at the heart of even their most seemingly celebratory songs.
    — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • To be born whole again into the world, a new world—a world without melancholy.
    — Daniel Barnum, Longreads, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of melancholy
Adjective
  • And Winnie-the-Pooh continues to sit, in a thoughtful sort of way, which is what very old bears in very nice glass cases mostly do.
    — STEVE HENDRIX THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • While the palette is narrow, thoughtful color moments are strategically placed through accents like carpets and textiles.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • Community members' opposition to data center development in Memphis is reflective of the broader attitude across America in recent months.
    — Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • José Antonio Bañuelos-Díaz, 42, a Mexican national and West Adams resident, appeared in court wearing a reflective vest with the name of a landscaping company, blue jeans and boots with the American flag on them.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of reflective
Adjective
  • Hans Op de Beeck’s first dalliance with a luxury house feels a lot like his art — hushed, contemplative, and slightly under the radar.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Her perspective—consistently serene and largely without self-interest—lends the novel a restrained and gently contemplative tone.
    — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of contemplative
Adjective
  • The daughter of a brass tree guest told me that on the last day, her mother pulled her aside and offered a somber warning.
    — Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Miller's new ad opens with a somber sequence of close-ups of various people's faces as the congressman talks about how divorce affects families.
    — Lara Korte The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of somber

Browse Nearby Words

pensions
pensive
penstock
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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