… the combination of national crisis and imminent electoral victory creates an atmosphere at once pensive and elated. Yossi Klein Halevi, New Republic, 25 Dec. 2000We take in the synchronized swimming of sardines and the pensive patrol of a leopard shark. Roger Rosenblatt, Time, 5 Oct. 1998… did not seem depressed so much as pensive, and within a few minutes he was talking eagerly—in fact, unstoppably—about his favorite subject: school. James Traub, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 1994 The child sat by himself, looking pensive. rainy days often put her in a pensive mood
Recent Examples on the WebBut despite all the heart-pounding stunts and physical challenges, there's also a pensive thoughtfulness to the series, as Hemsworth grapples with ideas of death and mortality. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2022 Millions have become enamored not only with her hypnotic vocals, but her expressive tone and pensive lyrics.Essence, 15 July 2022 From those pensive jigsaw puzzles, Scarbath shapes works of different textures from the flotsam and jetsam of everyday life: a shard of colored glass or a pebble that just caught her eye. Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2022 Wright does pensive sternness and Paul does frazzled torment better than just about anybody. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 June 2022 Her performance is pensive and thoughtful, her vibrant inner world coming to life through the power of her stillness. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 10 May 2022 As a result of his move — and a two-year pandemic — the superstar has now emerged with his most pensive album yet, twelve carat toothache, released June 2 on Mercury / Republic Records. Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 3 June 2022 Vassar's pensive reflection on the blessings of growing up in America is a great addition to any Independence Day playlist. Brie Dyas, Country Living, 2 June 2022 The musician showcased the pensive tune, which reflects on embracing life for those who are no longer with us, alongside her band. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English pensif, from Anglo-French, from penser to think, from Latin pensare to ponder, frequentative of pendere to weigh — more at pendant