as in melancholy
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking
he spent a long, broody weekend trying to figure out where his relationship with his girlfriend was headed
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Recent Examples of broody
The chickens were running on instinct — a broody hen sees something small and warm in her nest and sits on it.
—
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
The camera takes time to adore the young protagonists, to admire their excellent surfaces, to look them straight in their moody, broody, serious eyes.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The other is something more resembling that first one’s exact opposite—a dark and broody sipper, punchy and robust, liquid mollification reflecting that the best of the season is now officially behind us, and all that lays ahead is the long frigid slog toward spring.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
Theo James starred on season 1 as Charlotte's love interest (and one of Austen's broody heroes, of course), Sidney Parker.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
One notable absence from the sophomore season of Alfred Gough and Miles Millar’s Wednesday is that of broody artist Xavier Thorpe (Percy Hynes White), who played a significant love interest for Jenna Ortega’s titular main character in Season 1.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2025
The result was a mash-up of Ralph Lauren signatures that felt broodier, a little more bohemian, and, in that, perhaps a touch more eclectic.
—Nick Remsen, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Misfit is a patchouli-amber number that feels broodier and sophisticated, yet manages to wear light enough year-round.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2023
And she's torn between two love interests, a pair of basically interchangeable broody white boys, à la Felicity.
—A.a. Dowd, Chron, 21 Nov. 2022
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
The camera takes time to adore the young protagonists, to admire their excellent surfaces, to look them straight in their moody, broody, serious eyes.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The other is something more resembling that first one’s exact opposite—a dark and broody sipper, punchy and robust, liquid mollification reflecting that the best of the season is now officially behind us, and all that lays ahead is the long frigid slog toward spring.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
Theo James starred on season 1 as Charlotte's love interest (and one of Austen's broody heroes, of course), Sidney Parker.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
One notable absence from the sophomore season of Alfred Gough and Miles Millar’s Wednesday is that of broody artist Xavier Thorpe (Percy Hynes White), who played a significant love interest for Jenna Ortega’s titular main character in Season 1.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2025
The result was a mash-up of Ralph Lauren signatures that felt broodier, a little more bohemian, and, in that, perhaps a touch more eclectic.
—Nick Remsen, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Misfit is a patchouli-amber number that feels broodier and sophisticated, yet manages to wear light enough year-round.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2023
And she's torn between two love interests, a pair of basically interchangeable broody white boys, à la Felicity.
—A.a. Dowd, Chron, 21 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broody
Adjective
-
He can be wounded and sensitive (as in In the Mood for Love), mysterious and melancholy (as in Wong’s 2046), or slick and savage (as in Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution).—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
-
Certain Regard strand in 2016, or his melancholy, elegantly structured exploration of grief, Love Life, a Venice competitor from 2022.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s also a spacious indoor area filled with educational toys and games, and the friendly staff facilitate thoughtful activities like Nautical Knot Tying, Anguillan Boat Racing, nature walks, steel drum lessons, and sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball, and pickleball.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
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Instead of approaching pre-season cleaning as a frantic clear-out, experts suggest embracing thoughtful edits, a natural flow, and season-less updates that make a home feel lighter, more timeless and deeply personal.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
The activity is not unlike the way US and Soviet submarines tailed one another in the Cold War, but instead of running silent and running deep, highly reflective satellites easily stand out against the inky blackness of space.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
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The room and exhibition were rooted in vibrant yellow and orange hues, reflective of the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa, believed to be the birthplace of modern humankind.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Historically, Rostam solo albums are full of pensive and personal moments—reflections on life while taking long walks, weighing conflicted emotions while lounging in bed—and this one is no exception.—
Molly Mary O’Brien,
Pitchfork,
15 May 2026
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The Bookie & The Bruiser is set in 1959 New York City and features a pensive Jewish fellow named Rivner (James) and an oversized Italian-American tough named Boscolo (Vaughn).—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Instead, the seductive peacefulness of the house brought to her mind the contemplative sets in the BBC adaptation of Wolf Hall.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Guided by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, Yoshoku celebrates natural textures, subtle imperfections and quiet elegance to create a contemplative and artful dining experience.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broody. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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