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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 Several have issued gloomy quarterly results and pulled annual forecasts, due to economic uncertainty. Savyata Mishra, USA Today, 20 May 2025 Recent surveys indicate that German manufacturers are pulling back from investing in the United States, and those that already have a footprint there are more gloomy about their futures. Melissa Eddy, New York Times, 13 May 2025 The other China — gloomy China — tells a different story: sluggish consumer spending, rising unemployment, a chronic housing crisis and a business community bracing for the impact of the trade war. Li Yuan, New York Times, 13 May 2025 In recent months, the council’s budget committee has been hearing increasingly gloomy assessments of the city’s tourism and aviation industries. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for gloomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloomy
Adjective
  • The latest Email Threat Trends Report from VIPRE paints a bleak picture.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Related article Putin just called Trump’s bluff on Ukraine, with the Russian art of the ‘no’ deal Ukraine in 2025 is a bleak prospect.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • My back hurt from that sad excuse for a chair (seriously, who designs dining chairs to feel like medieval torture devices?).
    Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • Stewart is still thanked by gay fans by creating such a rare, highly visible (albeit sad) representation.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Plus, the combination of the stone fireplace and the dark wood cabinets and shelves flanking it contributed to the overall impression of a somber, too-serious space.
    Meghan Holloran, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2025
  • Trump will participate in the traditional wreath-laying ceremony and speak at the cemetery’s amphitheater, in what has been a somber occasion for U.S. presidents.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Netflix In a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, Ortega revealed that the massive success following 'Wednesday' actually left her unhappy.
    Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
  • Reports suggested that Daltrey was unhappy with Starkey’s playing on the night, and a number of songs were cut short.
    Thomas Smith, Billboard, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Related Stories All About Jalen Brunson's Parents, Sandra and Rick Brunson See Photos of Timothée Chalamet, Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal and More On May 16, Chalamet wore a Chrome Hearts tracksuit in a dark navy blue.
    Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 22 May 2025
  • His dark worldview is premised on the pessimistic presumption that the world will turn on the Jews if given the chance, which is why the Israeli leader has long prized hard power over diplomatic understandings.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • The mortality rates of small indie presses and literary journals are a depressing feature of our cultural landscape.
    Michael Washburn, National Review, 25 May 2025
  • Despite there being ample intrigue and mystery around what happened to Peter's first wife, the truth is pretty depressing.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • That would increase to 40% for productions outside of the Los Angeles area, or in economically depressed areas of Los Angeles.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 23 May 2025
  • In a depressed environment, where every effort is scrutinised, Moynat’s outing for 520 plays on the simple bond between pets and their owners, landing well.
    Gemma A. Williams, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • There is no evidence that Ms. Harris paid for the endorsements, although details on celebrity engagements can be somewhat murky.
    Theodore Schleifer, New York Times, 20 May 2025
  • Even as the temporary agreement between the U.S. and China has lifted sentiment this week, some major U.S. companies are issuing warnings about rising costs and a murky macroeconomic outlook.
    Pia Singh,Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gloomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloomy. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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