1
as in somber
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the diner's dim lighting makes eating there a particularly lugubrious experience
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning
in Victorian times, people who could affect particularly lugubrious expressions were hired to march in funeral processions as professional mourners
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lugubrious
On occasion, especially as the film builds to its lugubrious finale, Mielants tries other tricks, simulating long tracking shots that seem to glide through the school and then out onto the grounds.
—
Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
The legacy relaunch — originally titled Superman: Legacy when the project was announced in 2023 — represents a stark departure from writer-director Zack Snyder’s comparatively lugubrious, Zod-killing superhero deconstruction Man of Steel (2013).
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 14 July 2025
Some movie-goers love that sort of lugubrious, meditative filmmaking, some not so much, but either way — and to paraphrase Carly Simon — nobody does it better.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 28 June 2025
In one lugubrious sequence in which various members of Willie’s children’s generation take part in a pickleball tournament, the young men attempt to trash-talk one another.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lugubrious
Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
The legacy relaunch — originally titled Superman: Legacy when the project was announced in 2023 — represents a stark departure from writer-director Zack Snyder’s comparatively lugubrious, Zod-killing superhero deconstruction Man of Steel (2013).
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 14 July 2025
Some movie-goers love that sort of lugubrious, meditative filmmaking, some not so much, but either way — and to paraphrase Carly Simon — nobody does it better.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 28 June 2025
In one lugubrious sequence in which various members of Willie’s children’s generation take part in a pickleball tournament, the young men attempt to trash-talk one another.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lugubrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lugubrious
Adjective
-
The feeling inside the house is quiet and somber.—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
-
Typical of Vandenberg weather, a marine layer of low clouds and fog added a somber look to the scene.—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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The drama can stir up nostalgia and mournful emotions, and feels personal to many.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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On the soundtrack, mournful wailing music presents her as a tragic character.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Their pursuit leads them down a highly unusual path with no easy answers, and Bong masterfully balances tonal shifts from bleak tragedy to absurdist humor to highlight why the case remains so compelling.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
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The picture looks much bleaker for the president now.—
Linley Sanders,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.—
David Mamet,
National Review,
11 Aug. 2022
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
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According to the Cleveland Clinic, bipolar disorder is marked by periods of mania, along with depressive episodes.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
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In a 2025 study of 209 adolescents aged 10 to 17 who had a depressive or anxiety disorder, researchers examined iron deficiency and anxiety through brain scans and interviews.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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The burial ceremony will comprise of a two-day farewell to the slain former leader in Tehran and a funeral procession through the capital.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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Christ Temple Apostolic Church-Sacramento said her family is still arranging funeral details and did not share when the service would be.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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But the true story behind it is a dark, sad and overall pretty confusing one.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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Trudeau embraced the Southern California vibes and wore a green T-shirt with black shorts and a pair of dark sunglasses.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Sam’s maternal grandparents are especially heartbroken.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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Aaron Brown, her heartbroken father, spoke at the vigil.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lugubrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lugubrious. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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