DREARY Synonyms: 286 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'dreary' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dreary are bleak , cheerless , desolate , dismal , and gloomy . While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," dreary , often interchangeable with dismal , emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility. // a dreary job

Q: When might 'bleak' be a better fit than 'dreary'?

The meanings of bleak and dreary largely overlap; however, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten. // the bleak years of the depression

Q: When can 'cheerless' be used instead of 'dreary'?

While in some cases nearly identical to dreary , cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering. // a drab and cheerless office

Q: Where would 'desolate' be a reasonable alternative to 'dreary'?

The words desolate and dreary can be used in similar contexts, but desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect. // a desolate outpost

Q: In what contexts can 'dismal' take the place of 'dreary'?

The words dismal and dreary are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess. // dismal weather

Q: When could 'gloomy' be used to replace 'dreary'?

In some situations, the words gloomy and dreary are roughly equivalent. However, gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise. // gloomy war news

dreary

adjective

ˈdrir-ē

Definition of dreary next

as in bleak

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer vowed that he would never take a desk job working in a dreary office

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in depressing

causing unhappiness decided to see a professional counselor in order to save their dreary marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in boring

causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest another dreary social event to suffer through

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dreary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dreary are bleak, cheerless, desolate, dismal, and gloomy. While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," dreary, often interchangeable with dismal, emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility.

a dreary job

When might bleak be a better fit than dreary?

The meanings of bleak and dreary largely overlap; however, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten.

the bleak years of the depression

When can cheerless be used instead of dreary?

While in some cases nearly identical to dreary, cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering.

a drab and cheerless office

Where would desolate be a reasonable alternative to dreary?

The words desolate and dreary can be used in similar contexts, but desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect.

a desolate outpost

In what contexts can dismal take the place of dreary?

The words dismal and dreary are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess.

dismal weather

When could gloomy be used to replace dreary?

In some situations, the words gloomy and dreary are roughly equivalent. However, gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise.

gloomy war news

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of dreary Rookie guard Jared McCain has emerged as a bright spot in an otherwise dreary start to the season, but Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond, Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon have all been disappointments to some extent. —

Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 The later bulbs follow, their cheer and warmth saving us from the dreary depths of a cloudy, gray, Ohio Valley winter. —

Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 15 Nov. 2024 Nearly 1,000 miles northwest, green and yellow Green Bay Packers flags punctured the otherwise dreary, rainy gray skies, as the Wisconsin faithful replaced their trademark cheesehead hats with ponchos and tried to stay dry under pop-up tents before their contest with the Detroit Lions. —

Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024 For many Americans, the commute to work involves dreary slogs through traffic and crowded subway trains, but some European ports offer a tantalizing glimpse into the future of sustainable electrical transport that will transform urban waterways. —

Leah Carroll, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dreary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreary

Adjective

Their story could have been told myriad ways and, if the current TV market had anything to say about it: the best way to tell any true crime is to be as bleak, haunting and gory as possible.

Ed Herro, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
In recent years, people have taken to social media arguing that, while the film might be visually appealing, its underlying message is bleak.

John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Dec. 2024