saturnine
Darkly sullen temperament
Saturnine describes a gloomy, melancholy, or sluggish temperament—someone slow to smile and prone to dark moods.
The word comes from the astrological belief that people born under Saturn's influence inherited the planet's cold, heavy qualities.
A saturnine expression suggests brooding reserve: His saturnine manner made him seem perpetually displeased.
Dark and dispiriting
- somberGravely serious in mood
- moroseSullenly ill-humored
- sullenSilently bad-tempered
- dourSternly gloomy
glum · despondent · dejected · mournful · dismal · bleak · lugubrious · woebegone
Habitually uncommunicative
- reservedRestrained in manner
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- uncommunicativeUnwilling to share thoughts
laconic · withdrawn · guarded · distant · cool · unapproachable · secretive · introverted
Of great mass
- sluggishSlow and inactive
- slowLacking in speed
- ploddingMoving slowly, heavily
- ponderousAwkwardly heavy or slow
torpid · lethargic · listless · languid · weighty · oppressive · burdensome · laden
Without visible emotion
- phlegmaticUnemotionally calm, slow-reacting
- unemotionalLacking outward feeling
- dispassionateFree from emotional involvement
- detachedApart or uninvolved
unflappable · imperturbable · resigned · enduring · patient · long-suffering · stolid · unmoved
Quietly, sadly thoughtful
- contemplativeInclined to deep thought
- introspectiveExamining one's own mind
- meditativeInclined toward deep reflection
- reflectiveCasting back light
ruminative · thoughtful · preoccupied · absorbed · withdrawn · dark · troubled · haunted
Of or relating to worlds
- horoscopeZodiac-based fortune telling
- zodiacCelestial belt of signs
- CapricornTenth astrological sign
- maleficCausing harm or destruction
influence · temperament · humoral · medieval · melancholy · disposition · nativity · ascendant
gloomy
Dark and dispiriting
dour · glum · despondent · dejected · mournful · dismal · bleak · lugubrious · woebegone · crestfallen
taciturn
Habitually uncommunicative
- reservedRestrained in manner
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
uncommunicative · laconic · withdrawn · guarded · distant · cool · unapproachable · secretive · introverted · silent
heavy
Of great mass
ponderous · torpid · lethargic · listless · languid · weighty · oppressive · burdensome · laden · dragging
impassive
Without visible emotion
- phlegmaticUnemotionally calm, slow-reacting
- unemotionalLacking outward feeling
- dispassionateFree from emotional involvement
detached · unflappable · imperturbable · resigned · enduring · patient · long-suffering · stolid · unmoved · composed
pensive
Quietly, sadly thoughtful
- contemplativeInclined to deep thought
- introspectiveExamining one's own mind
- meditativeInclined toward deep reflection
reflective · ruminative · thoughtful · preoccupied · absorbed · withdrawn · dark · troubled · haunted · tormented
planetary
Of or relating to worlds
malefic · influence · temperament · humoral · medieval · melancholy · disposition · nativity · ascendant · conjunction
- Mythological WordsAchilles heel, Adonis, aegis, ambrosia, Apollo
- Byronic Herobrooding, tormented, mysterious, rebellious, passionate