Synonyms for morose
- adjective
All synonyms
Adjective
1. Sullen — sullen, gloomy; showing a brooding ill humour
sullen, moody, glum, gloomy, melancholy, sulky, lugubrious, despondent, dark, mopey, dour, somber US, sombre UK, gruff, sad, grim, dejected, ill-natured, dreary, sour, grouchy, surly, ill-tempered
Other
Definitions
- adj. 1
Sullen, gloomy; showing a brooding ill humour.
Choose the right word
The morose are bitterly dissatisfied with the world in general, and disposed to vent their ill nature upon others. The sullen and sulky are for the most part silent; the morose growl out bitter speeches.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- despondent Millions of Russians feel cheated and despondent.
- glum Don't be so glum about it. Life has its ups and downs.
- lugubrious I'd prefer to be called lugubrious rather than a sad sack.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| morose | rising | |
| despondent | rising | |
| glum | rising | |
| sulky | rising | |
| lugubrious | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- sad1
- 4 letters
- dark1, sour2, grim1, glum1, dour2
- 5 letters
- moody2, surly2, gruff1, sulky, mopey
- 6 letters
- gloomy2, dreary2, somber2, sombre, sullen2
- 7 letters
- grouchy2
- 8 letters
- dejected3
- 10 letters
- melancholy4, despondent3, lugubrious4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (sour2 = 2 syllables).