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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 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
-
Lines that seem artlessly off-the-cuff on first pass accrue an unexpected weight and purpose the fourth time through; the countrified guitar lick that sounds so chipper at the start of a song is dripping with melancholy by the end.—
Stuart Berman,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2026
-
Louis’s memories form an immersive, spellbinding confession of betrayal, murder, and melancholy with palpable sensuality.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Rather, Mitchell said the decision to exclude candidates was made after thoughtful consideration and a two-thirds vote of the party’s roughly 50-member executive board.—
Matthew Kelly
Updated June 7,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
-
The younger dude's use of Rick's musical idea and turning it into a worldwide hit sparks a thoughtful quest about fame and credit.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
One of the vehicles also had a light-up arrow, and all three workers had their yellow and orange reflective gear on.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
But the season was also a reflective one.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
This summer’s take on beachy perfumes encapsulates the calming, pensive, and healing nature of the seashore.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
-
Eve captured Monroe posing on a playground, looking warm but pensive in the shots, which also show her reading James Joyce's Ulysses.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Through Arnold’s lens, the Hollywood icon is quiet, contemplative and natural.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
Family Akelarre is an adults-forward hotel, designed more for couples and contemplative travelers than for toddlers with energy to burn.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broody. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
