moodiness
Sullen disposition shifts
Moodiness is the tendency to shift between emotional states, especially toward irritability or sullenness.
A moody person's temperament is unpredictable—cheerful one moment, withdrawn the next.
His moodiness made him difficult to work with.
The word usually carries negative connotations, suggesting someone hard to please or be around.
Prone to sudden change
- capriciousSubject to sudden changes
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- changeableCapable of alteration
- erraticLacking regularity or consistency
temperamental · fickle · inconstant · variable · unstable · impulsive · emotional · turbulent
Anxiously dwelling on something
- sulkyMoody and silently resentful
- poutySullen in expression
- withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged
- uncommunicativeUnwilling to share thoughts
resentful · surly · churlish · glowering · scowling · frowning · tight-lipped · morose
Subdued, lasting sadness
- despondentDeeply discouraged, hopeless
- downcastSad or despondent
- dejectedLow in spirits
- forlornSad and abandoned
crestfallen · woeful · doleful · dispirited · low-spirited · heavy-hearted · blue · sad
mercurial
Prone to sudden change
- capriciousSubject to sudden changes
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- changeableCapable of alteration
erratic · temperamental · fickle · inconstant · variable · unstable · impulsive · emotional · turbulent · stormy
brooding
Anxiously dwelling on something
uncommunicative · resentful · surly · churlish · glowering · scowling · frowning · tight-lipped · morose · taciturn
melancholy
Subdued, lasting sadness
- despondentDeeply discouraged, hopeless
- downcastSad or despondent
- dejectedLow in spirits
forlorn · crestfallen · woeful · doleful · dispirited · low-spirited · heavy-hearted · blue · sad · unhappy
grumpy
Irritable in temperament
touchy · peevish · petulant · tetchy · fretful · querulous · edgy · impatient · short-tempered · irascible
- grumpinessgrumpiness, crankiness, sullenness, grouchiness, irritability
- teen behavioreye rolling, back talk, backtalk, door slamming, defiance
- Temperamentadaptability, intensity, persistence, distractibility, reactivity
- artistic temperamentsensitivity, intensity, creative genius, tortured artist, brooding
- emotionsjoy, anger, fear, sadness, love
- feelingsemotion, feeling, pleasure, joy, anger
moodinessequanimity
Unshakable mental steadiness
steadiness · emotional stability · constancy · composure · consistency
moodinesscheerfulness
State of bright spirits
cheeriness · sunniness · gaiety · buoyancy · lightheartedness
moodinessagreeableness
Pleasant, cooperative nature
good nature · amiability · affability · geniality · pleasantness