as in somber
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the decrepit mansion had a sepulchral tone that gave everyone a chill
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sepulchral
Short and broad with sepulchral eyes, Karrenna wore a bucket hat, polo shirt, shorts, and flip-flops.
—
Sean Williams, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
For the occasion, the Shed’s Griffin Theater greets guests with an antechamber cast in sepulchral light and hung with wall size images from Sakamoto’s life.
—Max Lakin, New York Times, 25 June 2023
Wolverine Blues saw Swedish death-metal pioneers Entombed slowing down and adding a rock and roll swagger to their grisly, sepulchral sound, and in the process realizing some of their most memorable material.
—Hank Shteamer, SPIN, 24 Jan. 2023
The lighting is sepulchral, the air dank.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2020
See All Example Sentences for sepulchral
Sean Williams, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
For the occasion, the Shed’s Griffin Theater greets guests with an antechamber cast in sepulchral light and hung with wall size images from Sakamoto’s life.
—Max Lakin, New York Times, 25 June 2023
Wolverine Blues saw Swedish death-metal pioneers Entombed slowing down and adding a rock and roll swagger to their grisly, sepulchral sound, and in the process realizing some of their most memorable material.
—Hank Shteamer, SPIN, 24 Jan. 2023
The lighting is sepulchral, the air dank.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2020
See All Example Sentences for sepulchral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sepulchral
Adjective
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The group recasts these songs with somber, chant-like harmonies and sparse backing—drums, keys, and electric guitar.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
21 Mar. 2026
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But there was a somber note too, as one of the jurors, Ida Panahandeh, couldn’t attend Series Mania because of the ongoing war.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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What’s great about Grayson’s story is that things were looking pretty bleak before the Bananas rolled into town about a decade ago.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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The future looks bleak for non-power conferences and uncertain for Big East, Big 12 and ACC, too.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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On the last night that anybody else reportedly saw Nancy, that camera caught a glimpse of a person clad in dark clothes, wearing gloves and a black balaclava, unidentifiable, standing at the threshold.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
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Not only did that article form the basis of the film, but Lumet actually took the note and cast Pacino in the role of that dark, thin fellow.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Good Friday, observed on Friday, April 3, marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is one of the most solemn days of the Christian calendar.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Studies show that adults with anxiety and untreated ADHD suffer greater functional impairment and more frequent relapses, meaning their severe anxiety or depressive episodes keep returning despite therapy or medication.—
Deldhy Nicolás Moya Sánchez,
The Conversation,
16 Mar. 2026
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Research suggests changes in brain chemistry involving neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can cause depressive symptoms, says Noorlander.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Single bunnies can be lonely and depressed.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Scripted by Grace Glowicki and Ben Petrie (partners in life and in filmmaking), these words of seduction are music to the ears of a lonely Gravedigger (Glowicki), who has been formulating a perfume to cover up her corpse-like stench.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Markets usually jammed with customers were desolate Friday, with some vendors loudly promoting their products in a desperate attempt to attract customers.—
Félix Márquez,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
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Markets usually jammed with customers were desolate on Friday, with some vendors loudly promoting their products in a desperate attempt to attract customers.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
All airports are depressing and scary; some go above and beyond.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
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And people in Silicon Valley are after efficiency, which lacks humanity and can be horribly depressing.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sepulchral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sepulchral. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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