saturnine Definition
- 1gloomy or morose
- 2slow to change or show emotion
- 3having a tendency to be bitter or sardonic
Using saturnine: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "saturnine" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He had a saturnine expression on his face.
Example
The play's saturnine atmosphere was palpable.
Example
She was known for her saturnine personality.
Example
His saturnine humor often went over people's heads.
saturnine Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for saturnine
Antonyms for saturnine
Phrases with saturnine
Example
He had a saturnine look on his face throughout the meeting.
a personality type that is slow to change or show emotion, and has a tendency to be bitter or sardonic
Example
Her saturnine temperament made it difficult for her to make friends.
Example
His saturnine humor often left people feeling uncomfortable.
Origins of saturnine
from Latin 'Saturninus', meaning 'under the influence of the planet Saturn'
Summary: saturnine in Brief
The term 'saturnine' [ˈsætərnaɪn] refers to a gloomy or morose demeanor, a slow-to-change or unemotional personality, or a tendency to be bitter or sardonic. It can describe a person's expression, atmosphere, or humor, as in 'He had a saturnine expression on his face.' 'Saturnine' is a formal word with synonyms like 'dour' and 'melancholic,' and is the opposite of 'cheerful' or 'optimistic.'
