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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 In this gloomy scenario, helping get more Hispanic Americans on a path to higher-paying jobs seems an obvious solution. Jon Marcus, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025 But that was before sweeping tariffs, and JPMorgan Chase analysts have a gloomy outlook. Quartz Staff, Quartz, 7 Apr. 2025 What are the financial markets saying about tariffs? Market observers started the day gloomy. Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025 But Aldrich had miscalculated and Hull had been too gloomy. Jesse Eisinger, ProPublica, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gloomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloomy
Adjective
  • The observations from Drewry’s and Moody’s, as well as the scenario floated by McCown, follow a bleak outlook for the middle of May out of the biggest port in the U.S.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 25 Apr. 2025
  • These economic concerns echo findings from a Federal Reserve survey last week that said Americans’ view of the economy is bleak — and getting worse.
    Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Though the courts have not invariably ruled against Trump, the Administration’s record so far is, to use one of the President’s favorite words, sad.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The sad story of Alex Verdugo was one of the most puzzling dramas of the MLB offseason.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • There's an eclectic mix of jazz, big sweeping orchestral pieces, high energy electric guitars, and quiet, somber piano tunes.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • President Donald Trump is set to address the annual White House Easter Egg Roll hours after the death of Pope Francis, making for a somber backdrop for the light-hearted, kid-friendly affair.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Particularly now that Americans are unhappy with the state of economy.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Some 59% of voters are unhappy with how things are going in the country.
    Dana Blanton, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Editor’s tip: Niacinamide is a multitasker that blurs the look of dark spots, evens your skin tone, and balances your complexion.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Apr. 2025
  • And so by some sociologists, camp is thought to be this form of dark humor serving as a coping mechanism to historical marginalization.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This Sunday’s finale marks the end of a bizarre, depressing, and sometimes extremely funny show about a family like none other.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025
  • That’s been really fascinating and depressing and dispiriting to see.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The detective here, blending a couple of characters from the book, is Inspector Leach, a depressed drinker so unkempt one wonders why he hasn’t been put on administrative leave.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
  • To my dismay, the leader started feeling depressed rather than taking the actions that were most required.
    Sonal Jain, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the picture of the future is still murky amid economic uncertainty.
    Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The two friends straight-lined it down the hill, crossing the freezing murky puddle.
    Anna Fiorentino, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gloomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloomy. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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