1
as in depressing
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
a bleak outlook for the team for the rest of the season
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
it was a dark and bleak wintry day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a bleak December morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bleak
For recent grads, the boom in remote work could be worsening an already bleak job market, said Emma Ockerman in Yahoo.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
25 June 2026
Thursday’s outcome looked bleak after Ecuador failed to get a point against Curacao and lost to Ivory Coast to begin the tournament.
—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
25 June 2026
All of this paints a very bleak picture of Hollywood’s possible future — one in which movies and series are produced with gen AI by studios that refuse to say anything truly insightful or negative about the technology or its creators.
—
Charles Pulliam-Moore,
The Verge,
23 June 2026
My father is a can-do, glass-half-full guy, a quality that has always felt like a rebuke of my own bleak world view, which makes the poor man literally wince.
—
Sarah Miller,
New Yorker,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bleak
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
25 June 2026
Thursday’s outcome looked bleak after Ecuador failed to get a point against Curacao and lost to Ivory Coast to begin the tournament.
—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
25 June 2026
All of this paints a very bleak picture of Hollywood’s possible future — one in which movies and series are produced with gen AI by studios that refuse to say anything truly insightful or negative about the technology or its creators.
—
Charles Pulliam-Moore,
The Verge,
23 June 2026
My father is a can-do, glass-half-full guy, a quality that has always felt like a rebuke of my own bleak world view, which makes the poor man literally wince.
—
Sarah Miller,
New Yorker,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleak
Adjective
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What a depressing, disturbing waste, no matter the final verdict.
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After watching and enjoying the film, a somewhat depressing thought leaped into my mind.
Adjective
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Weaker global markets, which have impacted tech stock valuations, and the turbulent performance of SpaceX’s recent massive IPO were among the top concerns cited by insiders who have made the case that patience is a virtue.
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His confirmation closes one of the most turbulent presidential searches in UF history.
Adjective
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Flemings, like Peterson a one-and-done player in college, had 14 points on chilly 4-of-16 shooting.
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Then the movie ended, and someone flicked the lights, and people wiped their faces and checked their apps and the door opened for a chilly evening breeze.
Adjective
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The top-of-the-line chef’s kitchen sports metallic cabinetry paired with dark marble countertops and backsplashes.
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These include rolled or folded leaf blades, a dark or blue tinge to the foliage, or lingering footprints after walking on the lawn.
Adjective
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Most riders understand why the trip costs more on a rainy Friday afternoon than on a quiet Sunday morning; adjusting prices for weather, traffic, or supply is a transparent way to balance a market.
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The rainy season in South Florida attracts more amphibious jumpers to home yards — and every pet owner should fear one kind.
Adjective
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Hearing that growl, that was bone chilling, but working with the jaguar was awesome.
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Open-government advocates said the bill would have a chilling effect on the public’s ability to access records.
Adjective
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The film breathes in a dynamic way, the last few beats taking a startling turn toward a somber wistfulness.
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The hilltop De Smet Cemetery strikes a somber note.
Adjective
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Chicago breaks snowfall records before December Chicago started the snowy season last year with a similarly strong punch, breaking snowfall records by the end of November, according to the NOAA.
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The second reenactment takes place on the actual anniversary of Washington’s crossing — a freezing, snowy, gloomy Christmas Day in 1776.
Cite this Entry
“Bleak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleak. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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