Definition of gloomynext
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as in sad
feeling unhappiness has been gloomy ever since the breakup with his girlfriend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gloomy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gloomy are bleak, cheerless, desolate, dismal, and dreary. While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise.

gloomy war news

When might bleak be a better fit than gloomy?

While in some cases nearly identical to gloomy, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten.

the bleak years of the depression

When would cheerless be a good substitute for gloomy?

In some situations, the words cheerless and gloomy are roughly equivalent. However, cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering.

a drab and cheerless office

When is desolate a more appropriate choice than gloomy?

The meanings of desolate and gloomy largely overlap; however, desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect.

a desolate outpost

When can dismal be used instead of gloomy?

While the synonyms dismal and gloomy are close in meaning, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess.

dismal weather

Where would dreary be a reasonable alternative to gloomy?

The words dreary and gloomy can be used in similar contexts, but dreary, often interchangeable with dismal, emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility.

a dreary job

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of gloomy The words of comfort written for a young, gloomy Julian Lennon have become the definitive singalong at McCartney’s live shows. Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 June 2026 The skies are gloomy and overcast, fitting for a trip among the tombstones. Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026 Pei isn’t alone in making these gloomy predictions. Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 13 June 2026 But although her account of America’s origins was extremely gloomy, Hannah-Jones also offered a more optimistic view of the country’s progress through the ensuing centuries. Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gloomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloomy
Adjective
  • Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Kehoe pointed to the state’s bleak finances in a statement explaining his cuts on Tuesday.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Day broke, bathing everything in light, and so great was the vitality of the early-morning sun that even the unhappy city seemed to smile a wan, sad smile.
    Vasily Grossman, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • But SpringHill really took off in 2020, two seasons into James’ Lakers term, when The SpringHill Company went public (and the Lakers won the sad COVID-bubble NBA Championship).
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • She’s talked up her push to convert darkened streetlights, many of them stripped of their copper wire, to solar power.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
  • In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Instead, Alfonzo’s first appearance, the culmination of nine tireless years, was somber , stricken by the grief overshadowing what should’ve been a joyous moment in the Dodgers’ to the Padres.
    Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Flying straight from the merry Riverlands into the somber halls of Dragonstone is one hell of a comedown, but Daemon never struggles to access his dark side.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • The decade was an unhappy panorama of inflation, gas shortages, military humiliation, and revelations of political corruption.
    Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • On Tuesday, Paul urged Americans who are unhappy with the justices’ ruling to support his proposal.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • The top-of-the-line chef’s kitchen sports metallic cabinetry paired with dark marble countertops and backsplashes.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 June 2026
  • These include rolled or folded leaf blades, a dark or blue tinge to the foliage, or lingering footprints after walking on the lawn.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • What a depressing, disturbing waste, no matter the final verdict.
    Bob Wojnowski, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026
  • After watching and enjoying the film, a somewhat depressing thought leaped into my mind.
    Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • The pseudonymous title character, a depressed, drunken, belligerent twenty-six-year-old advice columnist, has no real hardships of his own and is cursed by doubt.
    Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 1 July 2026
  • Supergirl is a story about a depressed, super-powered woman who is pulled out of her bar-hopping to help other people and find her purpose.
    Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gloomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloomy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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