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Definitions

thoughtful

[thawt-fuhl] / ˈθɔt fəl /
ADJECTIVE
caring, mindful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
astute attentive careful cautious considerate courteous deliberate discreet friendly gracious helpful polite prudent tactful
STRONG
heedful
WEAK
anxious aware benign bleeding-heart canny charitable chivalrous circumspect civil concerned cooperative diplomatic gallant indulgent kind kindly neighborly obliging observant observative observing regardful responsive sensitive social solicitous unselfish wary well-bred well-thought-out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
careless discourteous heedless ignorant impolite imprudent inattentive incautious inconsiderate indiscreet mean rash rude thoughtless uncareful uncivil unmannerly unrefined
WEAK
idiotic negligent obtuse remiss stupid uncaring unmindful unthoughtful
ADJECTIVE
contemplative, introspective
Synonyms
STRONGEST
analytical attentive cerebral earnest melancholy pensive rational reasonable reflective serious sober studious wise
WEAK
absorbed brainy calculating cogitative deep deliberative discerning engrossed farsighted grave intellectual intent keen levelheaded logical lost in thought meditative museful musing philosophic pondering preoccupied rapt reasoning reflecting retrospective ruminative subjective thinking wistful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
flippant happy ignorant inattentive irrational stupid trivial unimportant unreasonable unserious unthoughtful
WEAK
careless heedless idiotic inconsiderate negligent obtuse remiss thoughtless uncaring unmindful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Join leading voices in policy, politics, technology and culture at WSJ Opinion Live in Washington, D.C. for two days of thoughtful on-stage conversations examining America on its 250th anniversary.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

I also found them excellent company: thoughtful and articulate and brave.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

“But maybe you’re newly divorced with a special-needs kid and a teacher’s pension, and the adviser specializes in all three. That’s a thoughtful exception that makes sense.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

So with thoughtful invention, Ozon gives the distraught Djemila — the murdered Algerian’s sister, unnamed in the book — a voice to go with her ignored status.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

“Miss Milly?” says Dr. Throckmorton, his hands forming a thoughtful pyramid underneath his nose.

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

Vocabulary lists containing thoughtful

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