1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

moods

noun

plural of mood
1
as in spirits
a state of mind dominated by a particular emotion losing my favorite sweater left me in a bad mood for the rest of the day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in auras
a special quality or impression associated with something there's a haunting mood of melancholy about the ruined old castle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 moods Aina emphasized the importance of color in influencing moods and self-perception and aims to bring joy to people in a sometimes-frustrating world through the use of the sun and sunflower motifs. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 13 Sep. 2026 The fashion for the season similarly runs the gamut, touching on various moods and sartorial personalities in the process. — Madeline Fass, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026 At six o’clock on a Sunday evening, long before the bar opened, the Roundhouse audience wasn’t in the most receptive of moods. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2026 Having just seen the artist’s major new project at Fondazione Prada, in Milan, and visited her career retrospective at the Kunstmuseum Basel, I was struck by the consistency of two contrasting moods across her practice. — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 Scott the aesthete, the creator of indelible images and ethereal moods who was unafraid to linger in beauty, even when that beauty was corrupted. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 But that blend of raucous laughs (OK, well, some raucous laughs, some mere attempts at them) and real world concerns makes for an uneasy watch, ping-ponging between moods and tones in unpredictable ways. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026 Mark Terry The bar splits into two rooms with two completely different moods. — Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Not the psychological optimism of cheery moods, but the scientific optimism that is the main subject of this book. — Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moods
  1. spirits
  2. auras
  3. modes
  4. feelings
  5. atmospheres
  6. smells
  7. aromas
  8. senses
Noun
  • There was a famous movie in the ’80s called ‘The Entity,’ a horror movie where a woman is visited by spirits and has sex with them.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
  • These adaptogenics also cost as much, if not more, than alcoholic spirits, such as Three Spirit, which incorporates ingredients such as guayusa (stimulating effects), damiana (aphrodisiac effects) and valerian (stress-relieving effects).
    — Esther Tseng, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of spirits
Noun
  • Auramaxxing Similar to the trend of smellmaxxing, teens are taking to TikTok to increase their auras with the new term auramaxxing.
    — Stephanie Kasulka, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Pink auras over a white base mingle with colorful gemstones, while black accent nails, 3D stars, and swirling details make every finger feel like its own tiny work of art.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of auras
Noun
  • With available drivers, trucks and power units becoming more constrained, Reinke said technology and collaboration can help improve the handoff of containers between transportation modes.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • And so perhaps the beginning of the universe is described by some quantum theory, which includes not just the matter modes, but also some modes of the gravitational field.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of modes
Noun
  • In the song, Swift apologizes to an ex for neglecting his feelings, comparing the bliss of a rebound relationship to the excitement of drug users post-withdrawal in recovery, where the term in the title originates.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Horton said the study’s results suggest that feelings can cloud a litigant’s judgment.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of feelings
Noun
  • Thornton has handled tough lineups and tough atmospheres, unfazed throughout.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In 2025, Wilkerson-Greines hosted North Crowley’s state semifinal win over Duncanville, providing one of the most memorable atmospheres of the 2025-26 school year with approximately 5,000 fans in attendance.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of atmospheres
Noun
  • Fossum notes that veterinarians sometimes use odor as a diagnostic clue because certain skin conditions produce distinctive smells.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • De Anda’s neighbors recalled hearing — and reporting to local authorities — barking and foul smells from the property, The Times reported in March.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of smells
Noun
  • Friday afternoon brought entertainment on 11 stages, a tempting hodgepodge of aromas from 50-plus food vendors and street tents filled with offerings from 125-plus artists as Oakland County’s 28-year tradition kicked off the first of four days.
    — Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Macabeo adds floral aromas to the finished wine, while Xarel-lo adds body, and Parellada adds fruit flavors.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of aromas
Noun
  • Unlike our other senses, smell has a direct line to our brain’s emotion and memory centers.
    — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Many advocates suggested to The News & Observer visitors use all their senses during the visit.
    — Anna Roman, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of senses

Browse Nearby Words

moodiness
moods
moody
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Moods.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moods. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of bellwether

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All