Brood

To brood is to dwell on a subject or set of thoughts, often in a negative or pessimistic way. It can also refer to the act of sitting on eggs to hatch them, especially by birds. Figuratively, it describes a prolonged state of gloominess, worry, or contemplation. In its more literal sense, it signifies the offspring hatched or nurtured at one time, referring specifically to the young animals cared for together by their mother, or to a group of people with the same thoughts.

Brood meaning with examples

• Lost in thought after the argument, he would often brood over his perceived failures, replaying the conversation in his head and dwelling on what he could have said differently. It affected his interactions with his friends. The intensity of his brooding was concerning.
• The mother hen patiently *brooded* over her clutch of eggs for weeks, keeping them warm and protected until the chicks were ready to hatch. This instinct was ingrained in her biology, as well as her maternal duty. She would not leave.
• Her brood of children, ranging in ages from toddlers to teenagers, kept the house in a constant state of controlled chaos. They bickered about the most random things and were often a handful. They kept her busy.
• Unable to sleep after the tragic news, he spent the entire night *brooding* about the uncertainty of the future and the loss he had suffered. His mind swirled in circles. He was unable to move forward, feeling the weight.