variants
or sombre
1
as in darkened
being without light or without much light
the prison's somber interrogation room has the desired effect of striking fear and despair into the prisoner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in solemn
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the somber occasion of a dear friend's funeral
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of somber
Scottish murder trials were focuses of intense interest as well as somber legal proceedings.
—
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2025
At a somber bill-signing less than a month after the mass shooting at the school, Scott was joined by parents of the Parkland victims and area legislators in his office in the state Capitol in Tallahassee.
—Steve Bousquet, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
Two years later, Pedro Pascal's Joel and Bella Ramsey's Ellie are back for more somber adventures.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Mickey 18 is meaner and more somber, allowing Pattinson to try out a completely different persona.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2025
At a somber bill-signing less than a month after the mass shooting at the school, Scott was joined by parents of the Parkland victims and area legislators in his office in the state Capitol in Tallahassee.
—Steve Bousquet, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
Two years later, Pedro Pascal's Joel and Bella Ramsey's Ellie are back for more somber adventures.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Mickey 18 is meaner and more somber, allowing Pattinson to try out a completely different persona.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
-
From its origins as a solemn feast day to its transformation into a global celebration of Irish heritage, St. Patrick's Day is a meaningful occasion for many.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Slow, solemn Christmas music accompanied them, as if in church.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 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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Wheat roots and seeds from palms and barley found alongside the bodies offer glimpses of the agricultural history and funereal practices of the Sohag region.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Mar. 2025
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Never mind that, by an accident of political timing, so many theater creatives as well as so much of the audience is feeling funereal.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
From the murky swamp to the kingdom of Duloc, Shrek has captured hearts with its wit, adventures and hilarious dialogue.—
Jane LaCroix,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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The charm offensive contrasted with DOGE's murky blitz through the federal government in the last two months, which has resulted in mass layoffs and entire agencies being effectively shuttered.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Being lonely is terrible for a person’s mental health.—
Kara Alaimo,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
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The results were conclusive: More than two-thirds (69%) of seniors felt lonely a majority of the time (50% of the time or more) before moving into a senior living community.—
Sara Zeff Geber,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Kwong grew up hearing stories of every kind about Manzanar—scary, sad, funny and infuriating.—
Rachel Ng,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Mar. 2025
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Yet, whatever the deal means for Paul, Weiss, its acquiescence to Trump marks a sad day for the legal profession—or what once was a profession, and is now just another business.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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