as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
historically regarded as a dreich corner of Britain, Scotland's very name comes from the Greek word for "dark"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreich
Adjective
-
But the state education department questioned this week whether the picture is as bleak as Superintendent Andrae Townsel’s administration has described.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026 -
Amid the chaos under Yeltsin, a bleak frontier culture took hold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On the last night that anybody else reportedly saw Nancy, that camera caught a glimpse of a person clad in dark clothes, wearing gloves and a black balaclava, unidentifiable, standing at the threshold.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Not only did that article form the basis of the film, but Lumet actually took the note and cast Pacino in the role of that dark, thin fellow.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Knicks went on to defeat the tanking, depleted Grizzlies handily, a 130-119 win good enough to snap a depressing three-game losing streak against the Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Far from a depressing gray room located in a basement, The Bridge and its massive windows put a spotlight on the natural beauty of Hong Kong.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Inside Safe providers acknowledged that motel rooms can be a huge adjustment, leaving people feeling lonely and isolated.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Days can feel long and lonely after one retires.—
Cathy Bussewitz,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The past few days’ fallout is a long way from any somber scene like that.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The glow of hundreds of candles illuminated somber faces, sobs often cutting through the silence in the crisp spring air.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Studies show that adults with anxiety and untreated ADHD suffer greater functional impairment and more frequent relapses, meaning their severe anxiety or depressive episodes keep returning despite therapy or medication.—
Deldhy Nicolás Moya Sánchez,
The Conversation,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Research suggests changes in brain chemistry involving neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can cause depressive symptoms, says Noorlander.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The field, a desolate oil patch, will eventually be the central location for what became known as the Texas Killing Fields.—
John Wayne Ferguson,
Houston Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Miller and Cook were two of four young women whose bodies were found between 1984 and 1991 in a rural field off a desolate dirt road in League City, located about 28 miles (45 kilometers) southeast of Houston.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and chill until filling is set and cake is cold, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Baristas sprinkled shredded phyllo dough over top heaps of cold foam.—
Jenna Thompson
April 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Dreich.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreich. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
