con·tem·pla·tive
kən-ˈtem-plə-tiv 
ˈkän-təm-ˌplā-,
-ˌtem-
: marked by or given to contemplation
specifically
: of or relating to a religious order devoted to prayer and penance
a contemplative order of nuns
contemplatively
adverb
contemplativeness
noun
: a person who practices contemplation
Synonyms
Examples of contemplative in a Sentence
Adjective
He has lived a quiet, contemplative life.
She joined a contemplative order of nuns.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lera Lynn |, SPIN, 22 Nov. 2024
For both writers — and this is true for Renaissance humanism at large — there is no contemplative life without the active life — the two modes necessarily co-exist.
—Peter Rubin, Longreads, 13 Nov. 2024
Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2024
Read the full Sagittarius Daily Horoscope Capricorn (December 21 - January 19)
Feeling contemplative, but don’t want to sit there?
—USA TODAY, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contemplative 
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Adjective
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.
—Lera Lynn |, SPIN, 22 Nov. 2024
For both writers — and this is true for Renaissance humanism at large — there is no contemplative life without the active life — the two modes necessarily co-exist.
—Peter Rubin, Longreads, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
On a wall of her office, a painting depicted Chavez looking contemplative, with a desert road behind him.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2024
Read the full Sagittarius Daily Horoscope Capricorn (December 21 - January 19)
Feeling contemplative, but don’t want to sit there?
—USA TODAY, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contemplative
Dictionary Entries Near contemplative
Cite this Entry
“Contemplative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemplative. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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