as in thoughtful
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking
a contemplative person who likes to go on solitary walks the contemplative life of the monks at the abbey
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contemplative
The French fashion house reunited with Sarah Jones, known for her contemplative large-scale color photographs of subjects such as empty therapists’ couches.
—
Joelle Diderich, WWD, 2 Jan. 2025
It’s been a mainstay on every bike ride, long walk, and contemplative moment of mine this year.
—Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
The funky and fruity fresh cane is bright and flavorful with some dusty but tasty oak influence, a contemplative sipper to pair with a medium-bodied spicy cigar.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
As readers of our September print issue know, this contemplative space was created for us by two women of singular grace and taste: Sheila Chandra, mythopoetic mesmer, and Lera Lynn, spare queen of post-Americana.
—Sheila Chandra, SPIN, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contemplative 
Joelle Diderich, WWD, 2 Jan. 2025
It’s been a mainstay on every bike ride, long walk, and contemplative moment of mine this year.
—Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
The funky and fruity fresh cane is bright and flavorful with some dusty but tasty oak influence, a contemplative sipper to pair with a medium-bodied spicy cigar.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
As readers of our September print issue know, this contemplative space was created for us by two women of singular grace and taste: Sheila Chandra, mythopoetic mesmer, and Lera Lynn, spare queen of post-Americana.
—Sheila Chandra, SPIN, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contemplative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemplative
Adjective
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And having more thoughtful conversations doesn’t preclude the need sometimes to confront those who are needlessly cruel or organizations that benefit from such exploitation.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
18 Jan. 2025
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Employers consistently emphasize the value of hiring individuals with a broad knowledge base who can collaborate to solve problems, engage in thoughtful debate, communicate clearly, and think critically—skills that liberal-arts programs rigorously cultivate.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Perhaps there’s something melancholy but appealing about the idea of a passionate romance that speeds up time, leaving one person with only difficult but beautiful memories, instead of the banalities of daily life that accompany a long partnership.—
Alissa Wilkinson,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2025
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The melancholy tune surges from No. 62 to No. 45, nearly entering the top 40 for the very first time.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Underwood recently wore a two-piece metallic gown from Rafik Zaki with a reflective silver bodice and a high-low silver skirt for the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala 2024.—
Ada Tseng,
WWD,
20 Jan. 2025
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What could have been a drab ten-story block surrounded by pavement instead became a low, deep, black-glass blob—reflective in the day, glowing at night—that filled the whole lot, following the curves of medieval streets.—
Ian Parker,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Guests can indulge in a range of treatments, including bodywork therapy, detoxifying Himalayan salt saunas, invigorating cold plunge therapy and the immersive rain room, where the sounds of a gentle thunderstorm create a meditative escape.—
Caroline Tell,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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According to researchers, Qigong is easy to learn, does not require specific sites or equipment, and can be practiced individually or collectively in various styles, from slow, flowing exercises to still meditative postures.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The plain, pensive framings are shot through with vectors of power both official and unofficial: pandemic regulations and the administrative tangles around real estate impose one kind of stricture; tradition and ingrained mores provide another.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
29 Jan. 2025
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At the moment, we are congregated in an oval of elderly metal folding chairs and are all sitting congruently in pensive, supplicant postures—with hunched shoulders and elbows on knees, our fingers steepled contemplatively and pressed against our lips.—
Barrett Swanson,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Eventually, an experience prompted him to consider the trappings of success from a more philosophical angle.—
Naima Cochrane,
VIBE.com,
23 Jan. 2025
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Catholic natural law, as articulated by figures such as St. Thomas Aquinas, is a philosophical and theological framework centered on universal moral principles accessible through reason.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near contemplative
Cite this Entry
“Contemplative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemplative. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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