Definition of morosenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word morose different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of morose are crabbed, gloomy, glum, saturnine, sulky, sullen, and surly. While all these words mean "showing a forbidding or disagreeable mood," morose adds to glum an element of bitterness or misanthropy.

morose job seekers who are inured to rejection

When can crabbed be used instead of morose?

The synonyms crabbed and morose are sometimes interchangeable, but crabbed applies to a forbidding morose harshness of manner.

the school's notoriously crabbed headmaster

When is gloomy a more appropriate choice than morose?

The meanings of gloomy and morose largely overlap; however, gloomy implies a depression in mood making for seeming sullenness or glumness.

a gloomy mood ushered in by bad news

In what contexts can glum take the place of morose?

The words glum and morose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glum suggests a silent dispiritedness.

a glum candidate left to ponder a stunning defeat

Where would saturnine be a reasonable alternative to morose?

Although the words saturnine and morose have much in common, saturnine describes a heavy forbidding aspect or suggests a bitter disposition.

a saturnine cynic always finding fault

When is it sensible to use sulky instead of morose?

While the synonyms sulky and morose are close in meaning, sulky suggests childish resentment expressed in peevish sullenness.

grew sulky after every spat

When could sullen be used to replace morose?

The words sullen and morose can be used in similar contexts, but sullen implies a silent ill humor and a refusal to be sociable.

remained sullen amid the festivities

When might surly be a better fit than morose?

While in some cases nearly identical to morose, surly implies gruffness and sullenness of speech or manner.

a typical surly teenager

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 morose Despite its serious subject matter, the novel is neither morbid nor morose. Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 The mood is neither morose nor blindly optimistic, even as the film celebrates the sense of family and community among these Southerners. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2026 The management changes come less than six weeks after Bellettini, one of Kering’s most visible and accomplished executives, was tasked with turning around Gucci amid a morose climate for luxury players. Miles Socha, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025 Appropriate to the popular conception of the morose genius, Poe’s initial 1849 funeral, held amidst the October gloom, was sparsely attended. Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for morose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for morose
Adjective
  • The past few days’ fallout is a long way from any somber scene like that.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The glow of hundreds of candles illuminated somber faces, sobs often cutting through the silence in the crisp spring air.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But the state education department questioned this week whether the picture is as bleak as Superintendent Andrae Townsel’s administration has described.
    Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Amid the chaos under Yeltsin, a bleak frontier culture took hold.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Studies show that adults with anxiety and untreated ADHD suffer greater functional impairment and more frequent relapses, meaning their severe anxiety or depressive episodes keep returning despite therapy or medication.
    Deldhy Nicolás Moya Sánchez, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Research suggests changes in brain chemistry involving neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can cause depressive symptoms, says Noorlander.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Knicks went on to defeat the tanking, depleted Grizzlies handily, a 130-119 win good enough to snap a depressing three-game losing streak against the Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Far from a depressing gray room located in a basement, The Bridge and its massive windows put a spotlight on the natural beauty of Hong Kong.
    Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Single bunnies can be lonely and depressed.
    City News Service, Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Scripted by Grace Glowicki and Ben Petrie (partners in life and in filmmaking), these words of seduction are music to the ears of a lonely Gravedigger (Glowicki), who has been formulating a perfume to cover up her corpse-like stench.
    Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • On the last night that anybody else reportedly saw Nancy, that camera caught a glimpse of a person clad in dark clothes, wearing gloves and a black balaclava, unidentifiable, standing at the threshold.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Not only did that article form the basis of the film, but Lumet actually took the note and cast Pacino in the role of that dark, thin fellow.
    Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This visual story captures solemn moments of faith, tradition and community as worshippers publicly observed one of Christianity’s most sacred Holy Week rituals.
    Al Diaz, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The solemn liturgical service included the Lord’s Passion from the Gospel of John.
    Holly Andres, Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Markets usually jammed with customers were desolate Friday, with some vendors loudly promoting their products in a desperate attempt to attract customers.
    Félix Márquez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Markets usually jammed with customers were desolate on Friday, with some vendors loudly promoting their products in a desperate attempt to attract customers.
    Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Morose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/morose. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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