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 musician showcased the pensive track, which references Nashville venue Robert’s Western World, on an acoustic guitar, offering an intimate rendition that befits his current solo tour. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2025 Rohan Goyal Double exposure This photo by Rohan Goyal, a 32-year-old with Down syndrome, captures his mother in a pensive mood laid over the image of a tall building. Charu Bahri, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025 On March 11, Rodgers was seen looking pensive during a beachside stroll in Malibu, Calif. Natasha Dye, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025 His conversational style in interviews is pensive and soft-spoken, almost professorial, which hooked up to the note of insistence just underneath the angel-cake vocal beauty. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pensive
Adjective
  • This week, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco share a vulnerable highlight from their new collaborative album, Jessica Simpson makes a triumphant return to music with a country pop power ballad, and Japanese Breakfast delivers an appropriately melancholy track from her new LP.
    Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Blanchett is apologetic and melancholy as Cate, and wonderfully snotty as Shelly, critiquing the privilege and luxury that the actress knows that famous people like her take for granted.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This is a complex matter requiring thoughtful consideration and a long-term perspective.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The pair both showed up to their second date on the beach with thoughtful gifts and eventually shared their first kiss before Tyler met Madison's family.
    Glamour, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The bumpy welcome was reflective of Mr. Bessent’s first few months in what might be the most difficult job in Washington.
    Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
  • The glass is highly reflective, and the screen simply doesn’t get bright enough to combat direct sunlight, making outdoor visibility a challenge.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Appropriately Murrow-furrowed, Clooney presents the journalist as a downcast, contemplative, dedicated journalist with an occasional flash of dry wit — and even a bit of warmth.
    Frank Rizzo, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025
  • This grant expands access to our undergraduate Psychedelic Studies Minor, integrating rigorous academic inquiry with contemplative practices and studying mind-body integration.
    Benjamin Adams, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • A lot of emotions — excitement and rejuvenation about joining a new team but also reflective and somber about his tenure in Boston coming to an end.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The mood at the event was anything but somber, though.
    Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pensive. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pensive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!