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 solemn
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
Accompanied by husband Prince William, the Princess of Wales evoked subdued elegance for the somber affair.
—
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
Shortly after celebrating the studio audience's warm reception to the cohosts, Goldberg spoke about the somber development as the audience listened.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2025
In the foyer hangs a custom handblown-glass chandelier that weighs 750 pounds and looks like an oddly somber string of balloons.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 15 Sep. 2025
White House staff who spoke with The Hill following the shooting said the mood inside the building was somber, and a number of officials have publicly recounted the effect Kirk had on the MAGA movement or themselves personally.
—Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
Shortly after celebrating the studio audience's warm reception to the cohosts, Goldberg spoke about the somber development as the audience listened.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2025
In the foyer hangs a custom handblown-glass chandelier that weighs 750 pounds and looks like an oddly somber string of balloons.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 15 Sep. 2025
White House staff who spoke with The Hill following the shooting said the mood inside the building was somber, and a number of officials have publicly recounted the effect Kirk had on the MAGA movement or themselves personally.
—Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
-
Over the weekend, around 16,000 people paid their respects to the designer at his funeral chamber at the Armani Teatro designed by Tadao Ando, filled with white flowers and paper lanterns on the floor in a diagonal grid formation dimly lit up the darkened venue.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On Monday, her husband, the Duke of Kent, and daughter Lady Helen Taylor appeared solemn as her coffin was taken by hearse from Kensington Palace to Westminster Cathedral for a private vigil.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
No happening is too solemn, in this world, for a heaping portion of unabashed self-promotion.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The night serum visibly smooths wrinkles, reduces fine lines, and soothes the appearance of dark circles and uneven skin tone.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The scent is smoky yet sweet, spicy yet smooth, dark but with an underlying lightness—the result of combining clean white musk with rose, tobacco, suede, and cumin.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The next seven frames felt funereal.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Not explained is whether Makary would be happier if drug companies placed ads with immobile patients, frowns, and funereal music.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite being a high-resolution display, the icons weren’t always clear when contrasted with my real-world field of view, causing the letters to appear a bit murky.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The law surrounding public university employees' speech rights is murkier, as the schools receive federal tax dollars.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Breaking free from the isolation tax isn’t just about feeling less lonely.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
There are a lot of lonely people out there.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As Malcolm and Henry prepare to return home, they are met with the sad news that Isaac Grant (Brian McCardie) has died, throwing Malcolm into a new leadership position.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Happy for her but selfishly sad.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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