brooding

[ broo-ding ]

adjective

1. preoccupied with depressing, morbid, or painful memories or thoughts:

   a brooding frame of mind.

2. cast in subdued light so as to convey a somewhat threatening atmosphere:

   Dusk fell on the brooding hills.

Other Words From

• brooding·ly adverb
• non·brooding adjective noun
• un·brooding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brooding¹

First recorded in 1810–20 brooding fordef 1; 1640–50 brooding fordef 2; brood + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Even at its most brooding, “Gemini” is enlivened by amusing wordplay and Heynderickx’s wry delivery.

From New York Times

David Rooney was less favourable about Mescal's performance and called it "a tad flat at times" with his emotional range "sticking mostly to the same notes of brooding intensity and simmering rage".

From BBC

Granted, “Out of Time’s” earworm “Shiny Happy People” is gratingly banal, but the album also features spoken-word passages, brooding bass lines and ghostly steel-guitar drone.

From Los Angeles Times

His brooding, rough-hewn features were recognizable worldwide, his name a rallying cry from South America to the Vatican.

From Los Angeles Times

While some see Heathcliff as the brooding romantic hero, he is also violent, abusive and manipulative.

From BBC

Related Words

• contemplation
• meditation
• reflection
• scrutiny
• self-examination
• soul-searching