Saturnine
hardNegative toneSAT-er-nyne
adjective
Definition
gloomy, sullen, or grimly serious in temperament
Memory hook
SATURNINE: imagine SATURN as a grim, ringed planet sulking alone in the cold dark — a person born under that gloomy sign.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“His saturnine expression discouraged anyone from approaching with small talk.”
“The novel's saturnine narrator finds something bleak to say about even the brightest morning.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“His ______ expression discouraged anyone from approaching with small talk.”
Show answer
saturnine
Categories
GRE Tip
Saturnine is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "sullen" or "morose" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "cheerful".
Related GRE Words
morose
sullen and gloomy; ill-tempered
sanguine
Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation
timorous
fearful, timid, or lacking in confidence
stoic
showing endurance of hardship without complaint or visible emotion
consternation
A feeling of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected
diffident
Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence
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