morose

[muh-rohs]

adjective

1. gloomily or sullenly ill-humored, as a person or mood.

   Synonyms: surly, sulky, sour, moody
   Antonyms: cheerful, cheerful

2. characterized by or expressing gloom.

morose

/ məˈrəʊs /

adjective

1. ill-tempered or gloomy

Other Word Forms

• morosely adverb
• moroseness noun
• morosity noun
• supermorose adjective
• supermoroseness noun
• unmorose adjective
• unmoroseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of morose¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin mōrōsus “fretful, peevish, willful,” equivalent to mōr- (stem of mōs ) “will, inclination” + -ōsus adjective suffix ( -ose ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of morose¹

C16: from Latin mōrōsus peevish, capricious, from mōs custom, will, caprice

Synonym Study

See glum.

Example Sentences

He’s a morose architect who aspires to build risky, revolutionary designs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He clicked on another photo — a young girl, her head turned to the side, with a morose expression on her face.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As Tuesday’s deliberations concluded, Combs was seen praying in the courtroom and looking morose, according to the Associated Press.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

If you don't do that, you end up in a place that is morose and in some strange way, addicted to cortisol.

Read more on Salon

As sad as the permanently morose seem, they do not even ridicule those who laugh, but those who find joy in their lives.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• cranky 
• dour 
• gloomy 
• glum 
• grouchy 
• melancholy 
• mournful 
• sad 
• sullen 
• surly 
• testy 
• ugly