variants
or sombre
1
as in darkened
being without light or without much light
the prison's somber interrogation room has the desired effect of striking fear and despair into the prisoner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the somber occasion of a dear friend's funeral
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of somber
Ellie and Joel’s trek through the post-apocalypse remains a somber meditation on loss and brutal human nature.
—
George Yang, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
Despite his somber introduction, this version of Creasy doesn’t earn the character’s darker choices.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
After a somber morning at the 9/11 Memorial in New York, Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla went their separate ways.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2026
Hancock’s visit came at a somber time for his alma mater.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for somber
George Yang, PC Magazine, 1 May 2026
Despite his somber introduction, this version of Creasy doesn’t earn the character’s darker choices.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
After a somber morning at the 9/11 Memorial in New York, Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla went their separate ways.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2026
Hancock’s visit came at a somber time for his alma mater.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
-
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
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As scientists often find darkened teeth in ancient burials, other factors can contribute to a black appearance, notably the chewing of betel leaves.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In other words, the status quo of ed tech is bleak.—
Will Oremus,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
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Like its gruesome predecessors, his latest full-length work features adorably designed anthropomorphic animals (and mushrooms) navigating bleak realities and confronting existentialist concerns.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Baha Mar is large in stature, sure—and Rosewood is part of a three-hotel complex across the bay from Atlantis, which looms large and brooding over its own end of the water as everything Baha Mar does not want to be—dated, dark, and reminiscent of Spring Break Past.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
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Also fascinating were their contrasting likenesses, dark against light housed in the same being, a human eclipse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
The annual solemn ceremony was a kickoff to Patriot Week.—
Paul Burton,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
Despite the crowds, the rousing music, and the excitement, Washington’s departure was a solemn affair, freighted by the stunning fact that the American colonies were now truly at war with the British Empire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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But first, the imager will scout the asteroid’s immediate neighborhood to check for any moonlets that could pose hazards to the spacecraft or offer clues to the space rock’s murky past.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
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Details of their final days remain murky.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Even more depressing, this scenario essentially puts an end to the good-government experiment in nonpartisan redistricting reform.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
-
Such widespread outsourcing of thought and memory is deeply depressing to many educators.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
And while all researchers recognize numerous factors that contribute to this troubling uptick, a key finding by NIH’s Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study is that screen time in late childhood predicts increased depressive symptoms in early adolescence.—
Jean Case,
Time,
14 May 2026
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For patients with three or more lifetime depressive episodes, the ASCP itself supports indefinite maintenance therapy.—
Jonathan Slater,
STAT,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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At its center is Sam, a lonely luthier with the extraordinary ability to hear the constant noise of other people’s minds.—
JD Linville,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
Criminals looking to establish online romantic relations with lonely seniors before bleeding their bank accounts dry.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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