musing 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of musingnext
as in melancholy
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking he was clearly in a musing mood, and did not feel like talking just then

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

musing

2 of 3

noun

as in meditation

Related Words

musing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of muse
as in pondering

Related Words

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 musing
Noun
Click here to get the full edition in your inbox, including bonus musings on trends and recommendations for the weekend. — Will Leitch, Washington Post, 9 July 2026 In a former life, this appliance may have doubled as tools used in his prior trade; however, the rapper—whose reputation for serving up hearty helpings of clever musings on the drug trade precedes him—remains intent on feeding the streets. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 17 June 2026 Warsh’s musings on international finance so far would likely do little to inspire confidence among purists. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 16 June 2026 Some of the dialogue feels like Harrison’s own metaphysical musings rather than characters’ speech. — Literary Hub, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for musing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for musing
  1. melancholy
  2. meditation
  3. pondering
  4. thoughtful
  5. contemplation
  6. ruminating
  7. reflective
  8. reverie
Adjective
  • Mackenzie Crook’s meditative and melancholy comedy is about a man whose life has been on pause since his girlfriend’s disappearance, leading him to use alchemy to get answers.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Viard describes the melancholy of her post-Chanel life in detail, describing herself as a ghost, haunted by the presence of Lagerfeld’s memory.
    — Olivier Bouchara, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of melancholy
Noun
  • Her team’s meta-analysis found that activities that increase physiological arousal generally did not reduce anger, while relaxation, mindfulness, meditation, and slow breathing consistently helped.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The trajectories separated into four distinct clusters corresponding to rest, meditation, music, and the movie.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of meditation
Verb
  • Newsom, who is pondering a 2028 presidential campaign, and the two men vying to replace him — Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton — oppose it.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In the stands, fans murmured beneath their breath, wondering what new math the Kiffin’s successor could be pondering.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of pondering
Adjective
  • Combined with plush cushioning, these thoughtful details make Bombas socks stand out from the average pair.
    — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Weiss, now 69, is widely viewed as a smart and thoughtful straight shooter, skilled at solving organizational problems.
    — Hilarie M. Sheets, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Noun
  • Walking and talking with an AI fellow pilgrim Which brings me back to the Kumano Kodo in Japan, where contemplation is a key element of the traditional experience.
    — Shay Rabineau, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
  • She was accepted into the convent at the age of 36, and led a life of prayer and contemplation.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of contemplation
Verb
  • So, Otto sits at the end of the counter, ruminating on the past weeks, then downs his glass of Gordon’s.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Yet there was Devers, ruminating as if the fate of the Giants’ (57-82) season rested on this Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of ruminating
Adjective
  • This in-shower treatment smooths the cuticle for reflective, glass-like shine, leaving strands softer, silkier, and ultra-glossy in just one minute.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
  • De Baise explained that this is reflective of a popular footwear trend of the ’90s, a decade Vaccarello is widely known to be aesthetically attached to.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of reflective
Noun
  • In a place filled with people confronting the challenge of rebuilding their lives, the lyrics of one particular song were a reverie.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The joke was accentuated by the graphics over the host’s shoulder, which showed the old nun lost in the same reverie as Oliver.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of reverie

Browse Nearby Words

musicians
musing
musing (over)
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Cite this Entry

“Musing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/musing. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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