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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of somber
This week’s crop of new music includes Zach Bryan teaming with Gabriella Rose for a somber new acoustic ballad, while Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis partner for an upbeat, reflective new song.
—
Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 21 July 2025
Their somber faces appeared in little boxes on his screen, while Putin sat at his desk alone.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 17 July 2025
In Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s energetic capital, golden spires of the Royal Palace gleam above the river, while visits to the Killing Fields reveal the city’s somber history.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
The convention, originally planned as a celebratory coronation, transformed into a tense, somber, and ultimately pivotal gathering.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 21 July 2025
Their somber faces appeared in little boxes on his screen, while Putin sat at his desk alone.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 17 July 2025
In Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s energetic capital, golden spires of the Royal Palace gleam above the river, while visits to the Killing Fields reveal the city’s somber history.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
The convention, originally planned as a celebratory coronation, transformed into a tense, somber, and ultimately pivotal gathering.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
-
Shortly after the 12-day war concluded, Khamenei emerged from his bunker to lead a solemn religious ceremony.—
Suzanne Maloney,
Foreign Affairs,
6 Aug. 2025
-
China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to such actions, and has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Sydney Sweeney’s new dark crime comedy Americana is new in theaters this weekend.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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One look at his lone, dark face in his Brighton High class picture tells you.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The wake itself turns out to be less funereal and more a celebration of life.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
8 Aug. 2025
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But when did our mutual garment become so funereal? Advertisement Joy, it is sometimes said these days, is resistance.—
David Litt,
Time,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Earth features similarly murky visuals and fearsome monsters, many original to the show.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Aug. 2025
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Even after signing a third NHL contract with the Leafs, Robertson’s future with the organization remains murky.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The movie Marty was based on Chayefsky’s television drama about two lonely people finding love.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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Hero Ellen Ripley’s (Sigourney Weaver) lonely fight for survival gave way to a military mission to vanquish aliens ravaging a human colony; Cameron filled the frame with cocky Marines, boxy space tanks, and an adorable orphan who finds in Ripley a surrogate mother.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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How long is unknown, but with the season winding down and every game increasing in importance, any game off for Tucker is a sad statement on how far his stock has dropped in the last month.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
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But the film’s precise, funny characters and vivid, sweltering look would have meant nothing without Lee’s wise and ultimately sad vision of multicultural America as a place where good intentions and casual mistrust are as commonplace as the local pizzeria.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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