1
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
vowed that he would never take a desk job working in a dreary office
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressing
causing unhappiness
decided to see a professional counselor in order to save their dreary marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
another dreary social event to suffer through
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dreary
Unfortunately, the group was greeted with back-to-back dreary, overcast afternoons instead of the trademark California sunshine.
—
Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025
Some feel a little dreary, while the lighter colors will probably get dirty pretty fast.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 5 May 2025
There’s not much to say about Kidman’s role as Aline Bernstein in this dreary biopic about editor Maxwell Perkins.
—Jihane Bousfiha, Vulture, 2 July 2025
So ditch the dreary detox drinks and head to Techo for a Dry January that's anything but boring.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreary
Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025
Some feel a little dreary, while the lighter colors will probably get dirty pretty fast.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 5 May 2025
There’s not much to say about Kidman’s role as Aline Bernstein in this dreary biopic about editor Maxwell Perkins.
—Jihane Bousfiha, Vulture, 2 July 2025
So ditch the dreary detox drinks and head to Techo for a Dry January that's anything but boring.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreary
Adjective
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Morale among agency staff is bleak, according to one CDC official who spoke on the condition that they not be named for fear of reprisals.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
31 July 2025
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Many people were concerned about their financial situation, as the overall economic outlook was bleak.—
Rocky Sharma,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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For women, the situation is even more depressing with 90% of women excluded from the workforce, unable to work outside their homes.—
Natasha Lindstaedt,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
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And blame can be depressing; accepting responsibility for something that went terribly wrong is often painful and embarrassing.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Hunter: The Reckoning puts players in the role of regular people who know monsters are real and can’t go back to their old, boring lives.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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The real world is monochromatic, straightforward, boring.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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These Quince ponte pants are a great option, available in a variety of darker hues that won’t attract stains.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Aug. 2025
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Sophie's gun — which was an impulse buy just a few days back — is found and identified as the weapon that killed Abby. Sophie's quest to vindicate herself then leads to the unraveling of dark secrets, sketchy relationships, twisted small-town politics and more.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The sad reality is that Lucky really hasn't had all that much luck in his life to date.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
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These people have gone through hell, and so checking in sometimes is just equally as sad and devastating.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Kennedy’s opponent, Vice President Richard Nixon, seemed to embody what voters were tiring of—the stale complacency and status quo of the 1950s.—
Time,
Time,
23 July 2025
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There are only so many new stories to be told, and audiences seem to be tiring of the monotony.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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But men and women who are flying solo—without a spouse—typically report their lives to be less meaningful and more lonely.—
Brad Wilcox,
The Atlantic,
29 July 2025
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The series is handsomely composed — NFL Films knows how to capture sunlight slanting through shoulder pads and the lonely geometry of empty stadiums.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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Phoenix assumes a pathetic and quietly arrogant demeanor as Joe, who speaks in a squeaky, exasperated cadence.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
17 July 2025
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Enter Flores, who was hired shortly after that pathetic performance.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dreary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreary. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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