drearier; dreariest
1
: feeling, displaying, or reflecting listlessness or discouragement
cheer a dreary mind—
George Berkeley
George BerkeleyExamples of dreary in a Sentence
It was a gray, dreary morning.
The family struggled through dreary economic times.
Recent Examples on the Web
One image remains from that dreary — at least for Georgia — afternoon: During pregame, an Alabama assistant standing alone near midfield, looking at his players with a contented smile.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 30 July 2025
However, the city’s financial outlook became less dreary as the shortfall shrank to $35.6 million by the time the City Council approved this year’s $5.57 billion budget in June, when the police department proposed nearly $493 million in salaries and $31.5 million in overtime.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
Suzuki’s attempts to modernise the Vitara by introducing a 9.0-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone connectivity are hindered by cheap plastics, a dreary dashboard, and mid-2000s graphics.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Intel has disclosed plans to slash more than 400 Bay Area jobs this month, in an ominous sign that some tech companies must navigate a dreary economic landscape.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreary
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Seth Emerson, New York Times, 30 July 2025
However, the city’s financial outlook became less dreary as the shortfall shrank to $35.6 million by the time the City Council approved this year’s $5.57 billion budget in June, when the police department proposed nearly $493 million in salaries and $31.5 million in overtime.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
Suzuki’s attempts to modernise the Vitara by introducing a 9.0-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone connectivity are hindered by cheap plastics, a dreary dashboard, and mid-2000s graphics.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Intel has disclosed plans to slash more than 400 Bay Area jobs this month, in an ominous sign that some tech companies must navigate a dreary economic landscape.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreary
Cite this Entry
“Dreary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dreary. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dreary
adjective
drea·ry
ˈdri(ə)r-ē 
drearier
ˈdrir-ē-ər
; dreariest
: having nothing that provides cheer, comfort, or interest
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