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 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
Prosecco, perfect in an Aperol Spritz, just adds too much enthusiasm to what is a broodier drink.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 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
Lautner starred as Jacob in all four movies alongside Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, who played Bella Swan and her broody vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen, respectively.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Aug. 2022
One of the latest YA entries, Netflix's adaptation of Sarah Dessen's Along for the Ride, centers a food fight at a summer BBQ as a key part of Auden's (Emma Pasarow) coming-of-age and her central romance with broody BMX biker, Eli (Belmont Camelli).
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 15 June 2022
It's filled with hilarious banter, quirky community, and a romantic connection between an exuberant lawyer and a broody ex-Marine that is both incredibly sweet and scorching hot.
—Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2022
In his English-language debut, Carax centres on Henry (Driver), a broody stand-up comedian, and Ann (Cotillard), a world-famous opera singer, who fall in love and have a daughter named Annette.
—Natalie Morin, refinery29.com, 20 Apr. 2021
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
Prosecco, perfect in an Aperol Spritz, just adds too much enthusiasm to what is a broodier drink.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 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
Lautner starred as Jacob in all four movies alongside Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, who played Bella Swan and her broody vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen, respectively.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Aug. 2022
One of the latest YA entries, Netflix's adaptation of Sarah Dessen's Along for the Ride, centers a food fight at a summer BBQ as a key part of Auden's (Emma Pasarow) coming-of-age and her central romance with broody BMX biker, Eli (Belmont Camelli).
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 15 June 2022
It's filled with hilarious banter, quirky community, and a romantic connection between an exuberant lawyer and a broody ex-Marine that is both incredibly sweet and scorching hot.
—Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2022
In his English-language debut, Carax centres on Henry (Driver), a broody stand-up comedian, and Ann (Cotillard), a world-famous opera singer, who fall in love and have a daughter named Annette.
—Natalie Morin, refinery29.com, 20 Apr. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broody
Adjective
-
Hollow Knight’s award-winning composer, Christopher Larkin, brings melancholy melodies, symphonic strings and heart-thumping, soul strumming boss themes to the adventure.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Brass rang out during the first chorus as Beck and company picked up the pace following one of Sea Change’s more melancholy moments, striking a cinematic tone during an early instrumental section.—
Jim Ryan,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Supporters deny that the move is a retaliation against KC Life, and say their goal is to protect the neighborhood’s historic fabric while supporting thoughtful development like the Norman School conversion.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Being transparent, candid and frank about challenges while also putting them in context in a thoughtful way will have more impact than trying to massage the answer, which can create uncertainty or disbelief.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Visibility at night was another concern, as the dark finish gives the water a more reflective, shadowy look.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Studies, including our own, have found that people who have studied philosophy are, on average, more reflective and more open-minded than those who haven’t.—
Michael Prinzing,
The Conversation,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The video begins with Grint's pensive walk home from prison after serving time for stalking, and images of Sheeran flood his memory and sight.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Her pensive, probing Symphony in C-Sharp Minor had never been performed until the conductor Debora Waldman took it up and recorded it for Bru Zane.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Quietly elegiac and lushly romantic, this beloved piece captures the play’s contemplative pace and the sense of grief and yearning that runs throughout.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Aug. 2025
-
With that, Wolfhard becomes more contemplative, processing what has passed and what comes next.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Broody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broody. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.
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