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
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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
Despite the dreary weather going into this weekend, the show will go on for the annual Jones Beach air show on Long Island.
—
Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
When did that dreary, depressing part of your career come to an end?
—Steve Knopper, Billboard, 20 May 2025
Alas, Herod’s world is numbingly dreary, at odds with the nasty glitter of the score.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Not much went the Mets’ way during a dreary series finale against the Chicago White Sox.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreary
Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
When did that dreary, depressing part of your career come to an end?
—Steve Knopper, Billboard, 20 May 2025
Alas, Herod’s world is numbingly dreary, at odds with the nasty glitter of the score.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Not much went the Mets’ way during a dreary series finale against the Chicago White Sox.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreary
Adjective
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The somewhat bleak outlook was laid bare Tuesday night after the USMNT was thrashed 4-0 by Switzerland during a friendly in Nashville.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
11 June 2025
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Instead of learning from this bleak recent history, Americans are now painfully absorbing this lesson by repeating it.—
Jonathan Haskel,
Foreign Affairs,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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All that matters is whether Dance Mom, a character designed in a lab to be a depressing punchline, pulls in just enough of the always-online demo to boost their numbers among younger viewers.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
30 May 2025
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Music was a way to showcase something that wasn’t depressing.—
Ramin Setoodeh,
Variety,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Some people assume that longtime married couples are boring, but my husband has never bored me.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2025
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Spectators perceive tennis outfits as plain, boring, rigid or limited to a specific silhouette.—
Ruth Etiesit Samuel,
Essence,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Its reversible design features dark stripes on one side made of 92 percent wool, 4 percent polyester, and 4 percent cotton, and the opposite side is made from 100 percent cotton in the solid natural color.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
15 June 2025
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The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat in a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early and moved swiftly as light rain fell and dark clouds shrouded the Washington Monument.—
LOLITA C. BALDOR,
Arkansas Online,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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Banks: There’s a reason why the theater [symbol] is a happy face/sad face.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
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To some, this may sound bizarre, laughable, or even just plain sad.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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The 35-year-old started 22 of the 24 games Cronenworth missed with a fractured rib and was clearly tiring at the end, going 3-for-30 in his final nine starts.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2025
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Bradley was clearly tiring, having struggled at times defensively in the second half.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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As found in the survey, adults who experience daily loneliness are nearly five times more likely to rate their current life poorly compared to those who aren’t lonely.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Skeletal branches created a cathedral over the lonely vehicle where the 64-year-old man had breathed his last, the winter-gray river placid in the background behind a ramble of fences.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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Anyone who tells you different is a liar (and pathetic, and alone in life).—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2025
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The politicized fantasy and horror films by Ryan Coogler and Jordan Peele are merely pathetic.—
Armond White,
National Review,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dreary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreary. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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