Morose: meaning, definitions and examples

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morose

[məˈroʊs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

having a sullen and gloomy disposition; marked by or expressive of gloom

Synonyms

dejected, dour, gloomy, melancholic, sullen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
morose	This term is often used to describe someone who is deeply sad or in a sullen, upset mood, usually in a more intense and enduring way. She was morose after hearing about the layoffs at her office
gloomy	This term can refer to both a person's mood and to an environment or situation that is dark, depressing, or cheerless. The weather was gloomy with dark clouds and a constant drizzle
sullen	This term is typically used to describe someone who is silently resentful or grumpy, often showing their displeasure through their expression or lack of communication. He sat in the corner, sullen and uncommunicative, after the argument
melancholic	This word is often used in a literary or poetic context to describe a deep, reflective sadness, often with a somewhat romantic or nostalgic undertone. The melancholic tone of the old photograph made her reminisce about the past
dour	This adjective is used to describe someone who is stern, gloomy, or unfriendly in demeanor. It has a somewhat negative connotation. His dour expression made it clear he was not in the mood for jokes
dejected	This word is best suited for describing a temporary feeling of sadness or low spirits, often due to a specific disappointment or setback. He felt dejected after failing his driving test

Examples of usage

She was feeling morose after receiving the bad news.
His morose expression made it clear that he was not in a good mood.
The morose weather matched her somber mood.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

appearance

having a withdrawn or gloomy personality

Synonyms

despondent, dismal, dreary, forlorn, pessimistic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
morose	Used to describe someone who is sullen, gloomy, and in a bad mood for a prolonged period. After losing his job, he remained morose for weeks She gave him a morose stare
dismal	Used to describe something very gloomy or depressing; can be used for situations, weather, or performance. The weather was dismal, with dark clouds and heavy rain The team delivered a dismal performance in the match
despondent	Used when someone is in very low spirits from loss of hope or courage. She felt despondent after failing her final exams He grew despondent when he received no replies to his job applications
forlorn	Used when someone looks or feels very sad, abandoned, or lonely. The old house stood forlorn, with no one to care for it She sat there with a forlorn expression, waiting for someone who never came
dreary	Used for describing dull, bleak, and lifeless situations, often concerning places or weather. It was a dreary day with nothing to do The town looked dreary in the winter months
pessimistic	Used to describe someone who always expects the worst to happen. He took a pessimistic view of the future, always thinking something bad would occur His pessimistic attitude made it hard for him to enjoy anything in life

Examples of usage

His morose demeanor made it difficult to approach him.
The morose look in her eyes revealed her inner sadness.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin term 'morosus,' which means 'bitter' or 'sullen.'
It entered the English language in the 15th century, describing a gloomy mood.
In Spanish, a similar word, 'morisca,' relates to being cross or sulky.

Psychology

A morose disposition can be linked to mental health conditions such as depression.
Research suggests that prolonged sadness can affect our physical health and overall life satisfaction.
People with morose feelings may also show diminished interest in activities they once enjoyed.

Literature

Often found in character descriptions, it portrays a person with a dark outlook on life, adding depth to storytelling.
Authors like Charles Dickens used morose characters to emphasize social themes, such as despair in Victorian England.
Shakespeare frequently depicted melancholic figures, who often expressed profound insights about life.

Pop Culture

In films and TV shows, morose characters often serve as anti-heroes, reflecting deeper human struggles.
Certain music genres, like blues, often express morose themes, resonating with listeners experiencing sadness.
Comic books frequently have 'dark' heroes struggling with morose emotions, balancing their heroic actions with personal battles.

Art

Artists frequently depict morose themes to convey emotional struggles, as seen in the works of Edvard Munch's 'The Scream'.
The 'morose' color palette, featuring darker tones, is often used to evoke feelings of sadness and introspection.
Certain art movements, like Romanticism, explored morose sentiments, emphasizing individual emotion over rationality.

Translations

Translations of the word "morose" in other languages:

🇵🇹 melancólico

🇮🇳 उदास

🇩🇪 mürrisch

🇮🇩 muram

🇺🇦 похмурий

🇵🇱 ponury

🇯🇵 陰気

🇫🇷 morne

🇪🇸 sombrío

🇹🇷 kasvetli

🇰🇷 우울한

🇸🇦 كئيب

🇨🇿 mrzutý

🇸🇰 mrzutý

🇨🇳 忧郁的

🇸🇮 mračen

🇮🇸 dapur

🇰🇿 мұңды

🇬🇪 მოწყენილი

🇦🇿 kədərli

🇲🇽 sombrío

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,771, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
23768 circumspection
23769 insinuations
23770 slop
23771 morose
23772 turnkey
23773 clattering
23774 obliquity
...