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
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
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
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
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
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
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
-
But the film, written and directed by Benny Safdie, is a sensitive, even melancholy look at how an aging athlete comes to accept defeat with the help of those around him.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Director Kogonada, who previously guided Farrell in After Yang, is going for alternate melancholy and whimsy, an uneven blend of introspective drama and high-concept fantasy that feels a bit lost in translation and doesn’t quite work the way it was intended.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Built between the late 17th century and early 18th century, the picturesque home has been restored by thoughtful architects who preserved the building’s rustic simplicity while ushering it into the modern era.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Architectural Digest,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Housed in the former Town Hall, built in 1816, the museum offers a thoughtful overview of the region’s history.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The only difference is that reflective tint is not allowed anywhere on the windshield and can't be more than 35% on the front and rear windows.—
Keenan Thompson,
Freep.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Give that remark a sobering, reflective moment.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
After the orchestra launches in with a full flaring sound, the cello takes the lead on a sweet, almost pensive solo.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
Cam, who grieves his father throughout the film, allowed Withers to show that even the toughest men in the world have their contemplative moments.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Periodic voice-over offers peeks into Lionel’s head, but Hermanus prefers to let the character, through whose perspective the film unfolds, spend most of his time in contemplative silence, leaving blank spaces we’re invited to fill in with richer emotional grappling than we’re given onscreen.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Broody.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broody. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share