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Brooded: meaning, definitions and examples

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brooded

 

[ˈbruː.dɪd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

emotional state

Brooded refers to the act of thinking deeply or worrying about something, often in a moody or sullen manner. It suggests a prolonged period of contemplation where one becomes preoccupied with certain thoughts or feelings, which could be linked to sadness or introspection. People may brood over past events, decisions, or relationships, and this state can lead to feelings of anxiety or depression if persisted. The term often implies that the individual is lost in their thoughts, unable to focus on the present.

Synonyms

mope, ponder, wallow.

Examples of usage

  • She brooded over her mistakes.
  • He spent the evening brooding about his future.
  • The stormy skies matched his brooding mood.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'brōdian', meaning to be troubled or worried.
  • Originally related to the word 'brow', where frowning was associated with deep thought or concern.
  • The term has evolved to include both the act of deep thinking and the feeling of melancholy.

Psychology

  • Brooding can lead to rumination, which involves excessively thinking about past events and can contribute to anxiety.
  • Some studies suggest that brooding can negatively impact mental health, making it harder to move on from distressful experiences.
  • Mindfulness practices are often recommended as a way to counteract the effects of brooding.

Literature

  • Brooding characters are often depicted in literature as contemplative and intense, like Hamlet in Shakespeare's plays.
  • Many romantic poets used brooding as a theme to express deep emotions and personal turmoil.
  • Contemporary novels often feature brooding protagonists to add complexity to their inner struggles.

Pop Culture

  • Brooding is a popular trope in films, often associated with the 'mysterious' hero or villain that has a deep backstory.
  • Characters like Batman are often described as brooding due to their complex emotional lives and darker themes.
  • The portrayal of brooding characters continues to resonate, especially in genres like drama and fantasy.

Science

  • Research in neuroscience shows that negatively oriented thoughts, similar to brooding, can activate certain areas of the brain linked to emotions.
  • Long periods of brooding can disrupt cognitive functions, impacting decision-making abilities.
  • Neuroplasticity suggests that changing thought patterns from brooding to positive thinking can reshape brain activity over time.

Translations

Translations of the word "brooded" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pensativo

🇮🇳 सोचना

🇩🇪 nachgrübeln

🇮🇩 merenung

🇺🇦 задумуватися

🇵🇱 rozmyślać

🇯🇵 考え込む

🇫🇷 ruminer

🇪🇸 reflexionar

🇹🇷 düşünmek

🇰🇷 생각하다

🇸🇦 تفكر

🇨🇿 přemýšlet

🇸🇰 premýšľať

🇨🇳 沉思

🇸🇮 razmišljati

🇮🇸 hugsa

🇰🇿 ойлану

🇬🇪 აზროვნება

🇦🇿 düşünmək

🇲🇽 reflexionar

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,032, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.