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Glite Dictionary
pensively

pensively

3 7.0
In a quiet, serious way that shows deep thought and a little sadness
  • adverb
  • /ˈpɛn.sɪv.li/
translation icon : pensativamente
  • The senior judge continued to review the docket as he pensively combed his beard with his fingers.
  • staring pensively
  • gazed pensively
  • said pensively

And you stare pensively and you go to open your mouth and Ding, and we have an opening montage Ding.

Examples

  • Rebecca stared pensively out the window at band uniforms and a sea of straw hats and parasols.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Rose stood in front of the window, staring pensively out at the darkness.

  • Claire turned and started down the road again, head still pensively bent.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Rose stood in front of the window, staring pensively out at the darkness.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Eyes closed, Adam rocked pensively in his chair as if still pondering his presidency's greatest challenge.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • I found myself drifting off to where Maureen stood in the shadows, staring pensively into the flames.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Bill sat in his favorite armchair, clad in a crewneck sweater and twill trousers, gazing pensively into the middle distance.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • The old man looks at me pensively; maybe he realizes what I did.

  • I returned the phone to its cradle and gazed pensively through the study's ivy-webbed window.

Synonyms

wistfully
vspensively
10 5.6

In a sad way that shows you wish for something you no longer have

is more about quiet thought and less about longing or yearning
reflectively
vspensively
3 4.8

In a way that shows careful thought before speaking or acting

is more serious and often carries a faint sad feeling
contemplatively
vspensively
1 6.8

In a quiet, thoughtful way

is like this but more likely to include a touch of sadness
broodingly
vspensively
1 7.1

In a deep, sad way while thinking

is deeply thoughtful but only has a slight hint of sadness
introspectively
vspensively
1 7.3

When a person looks carefully at their own thoughts and feelings

is broader, involving thoughtful mood rather than only inner examination
musingly
vspensively
1 7.2

In a quiet way that shows someone is thinking hard

is more emotionally tinged, often adding a slight sadness
ruminatively
vspensively
7.9

In a slow, thoughtful way

is similar but usually carries a mild sad hint rather than none

Antonyms

cheerfully
34 1.0

In a happy, friendly way that shows you want to help

How Reflective

broodingly
1 7.1
pensively
3 7.0
reflectively
3 4.8
thoughtfully
43 3.7

Surface Forms

pensively positive

Morphology

pensively = pensive (transparent) = pensive + ly

Formed by the regular adjective-to-adverb suffix '-ly' so the meaning is directly derived from 'pensive'.

Etymology

Pensively comes from the old root pens-, from pensare, which means 'to weigh' or 'to think carefully' and is like the English word ponder. So, to look or act pensively is like 'weighing' your thoughts — thinking deeply and often with a little sadness.