1
as in depressing
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
a bleak outlook for the team for the rest of the season
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
it was a dark and bleak wintry day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a bleak December morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bleak
The still-low unemployment rate hides the bleak new reality for employees: rising fears of layoffs, uncertainty about the health of employers' business, and plummeting hope of finding other work.
—
Courtenay Brown, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The museum was so bleak, with photos of the prisoners on the walls, preserved prison cells, and other gruesome remains, that several of our group had to leave.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2025
Even the relatively staid premiere stole a handful of grim chuckles thanks to its guest star’s exceedingly blasé delivery of impossibly bleak news.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Mar. 2025
Yet if Mickey’s life is suffocatingly bleak, Mickey 17 is anything but.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Courtenay Brown, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025
The museum was so bleak, with photos of the prisoners on the walls, preserved prison cells, and other gruesome remains, that several of our group had to leave.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2025
Even the relatively staid premiere stole a handful of grim chuckles thanks to its guest star’s exceedingly blasé delivery of impossibly bleak news.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Mar. 2025
Yet if Mickey’s life is suffocatingly bleak, Mickey 17 is anything but.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleak
Adjective
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The truth is more depressing: This show is bad in the usual manner of reality television.—
Peter Tonguette,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Mar. 2025
-
That wasn’t even the most depressing of Vlasic’s quotes.—
Scott Powers,
The Athletic,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Starting a new business is never without risk, but in the last few turbulent years of the pandemic and the ensuing turbulence, the risks have felt that much higher.—
Alison Coleman,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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The Rundown Trump's Looming War for a Key Trade Route Will Be Costly As President Donald Trump seeks to assert U.S. influence across the globe by implementing stiff tariffs and threatening to seize the Panama Canal, his first economically motivated hot war looms in the turbulent seas off Yemen.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Spring 2025 in New York City is off to a wet, gray and chilly start.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
20 Mar. 2025
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Related Articles Hathaway capitalized on the chilly, wintery weather and snow with a look best described as gravitating toward the après-ski trend.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Among the greater Eilish team, the sentiment is that of a somber parting, but there remains great respect and appreciation for the tremendous successes, milestones and memories shared with Rukasin and Goodman.—
Shirley Halperin,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Mar. 2025
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The Opening Day festivities in the Bronx took on a somber tone Thursday as the Yankees honored the late son of former outfielder Brett Gardner.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Recent Carabao Cup final goalscorer Alexander Isak is hot on his heels, with the best record in windy and rainy conditions — no doubt helped by Newcastle United’s status as the league’s most northerly club.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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Luckily, the disease numbers declined in 2024, as a rainy start to the year inundated the watershed with fresh water and drove salinity downward.—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Gateway communities to our national parks understand their economic viability isn't tied to the chilling effects of militarization, but nested in becoming more inclusive communities for all of us.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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Legal scholars have said there is little legal precedent for Trump's war on Big Law, which has created a chilling effect across the legal community, and most will certainly have a chilling effect on his opponents who will need legal representation against him.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The couple even hires a nanny to care for the doll but shortly after her arrival, strange occurrences begin leading them down a dark path.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
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Same goes for Lady Gaga and her fire-red McQueen gown, which hit all the right notes of dark romance.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Winters are snowy and intense, spring is a welcome relief, summers are hot and sunny, and fall brings the most beautiful colors to nature.—
Elizabeth Medeiros,
Health,
22 Mar. 2025
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In the front row, Chastain, Brody and Badgley sat next to each other, bundled up in oversized white Moncler coats with large hoods to keep them warm at the snowy show.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA TODAY,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bleak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleak. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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