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 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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broody
Adjective
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There’s less Lou Reed swagger and more Paul Simon melancholy, a survey of modern American accoutrements and spiritual confusion delivered with a shrug.—
Linnie Greene,
Pitchfork,
21 Jan. 2026
-
At some point this winter — maybe a few days, maybe a few weeks — melancholy will fade and Hurricanes fans will be able to appreciate all that was accomplished during a season when UM got back its good name and returned to prominence.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Some parents carefully vetted and chose thoughtful names to add to the birth certificate, while others undoubtedly may have selected them on a whim or as a result of losing a bet.—
Cooper Worth,
Des Moines Register,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Soft, breathable materials and thoughtful construction have made the silhouette way more wearable, offering a happy medium between your comfiest sneakers and your dressiest pumps.—
Nina Derwin,
Glamour,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
If natural light isn't sufficient, install grow lights or use reflective surfaces.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Stewart has explained the film as being designed as a reflective experience for the audience that unflinchingly shows the subconscious ways memory lives within the human body.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Despite this, one of the more poignant bronzes her mother made at this time is of Flora, seated quietly in an armchair, the curve of her body and downcast expression manifesting her pensive mood.—
Fiona Donovan,
Vanity Fair,
30 Dec. 2025
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There’s Walter’s serene cello and Marjorie’s pensive, slightly coy violin, sometimes playful or petulant or, still, a little vain and secretive — other times thin and trembling, lost in the haze of dementia.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
While wrestling is physical and intense, golf is more contemplative.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 2026
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There, the tea ceremony was both a contemplative act and an occasion to display Chinese calligraphy, paintings and ceramics.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broody. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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