ruminative

As a verb pondering

is .

As a noun pondering

is ruminations.

As an adjective ruminative is

causing rumination or prone to it; thoughtful.

As adjectives the difference between contemplative and ruminative

is that contemplative is inclined to contemplate; introspective and thoughtful; meditative while ruminative is causing rumination or prone to it; thoughtful.

As a noun contemplative

is someone who has dedicated themselves to religious contemplation.

As adjectives the difference between musing and ruminative

is that musing is absorbed in thought; contemplative while ruminative is causing rumination or prone to it; thoughtful.

As a verb musing

is .

As a noun musing

is thought, meditation, contemplation.

As adjectives the difference between ruminative and brooding

is that ruminative is causing rumination or prone to it; thoughtful while brooding is (of a bird) broody; incubating eggs by sitting on them.

As a verb brooding is

.

As a noun brooding is

a spell of brooding; the time when someone broods.

As adjectives the difference between ruminant and ruminative

is that ruminant is chewing cud while ruminative is causing rumination or prone to it; thoughtful.

As a noun ruminant

is an artiodactyl ungulate mammal which chews cud, such as a cow or deer.

As an adjective ruminative

is causing rumination or prone to it; thoughtful.

As an adverb ruminatively is

in a ruminative way.