1
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the cold rain made for a gloomy day
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2
as in sad
feeling unhappiness
has been gloomy ever since the breakup with his girlfriend
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3
as in darkened
being without light or without much light
that house would be less gloomy if some of the overgrown trees and shrubs were cleared away
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gloomy
Overall a gloomy, cool and damp day.
—
Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
According to surveys, Americans already have a gloomy outlook on the economy, largely because of the lingering effects of the price spikes of the past five years.
—Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
These gaudy hijinks contrast with the dark, gloomy prison cell where Giovanni Pandico (Lino Musella) is incarcerated.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2026
This doesn’t need to be a doomy, gloomy point.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gloomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloomy
Adjective
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For two teens unable to use their legs, the future was especially bleak.—
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So what’s to be done when things look bleak?—
Adjective
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There will be keggers, hook-ups, late nights and early mornings, all without shading Greg as a sad old man trying to turn back time.—
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But none of them can say this, none of them can let their feelings be known, and, instead of a triangle, what ends up happening is three sad lines fallen in on each other, lying in a pile, waiting for someone to come along and prop them back up into a shape.—
Adjective
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As scientists often find darkened teeth in ancient burials, other factors can contribute to a black appearance, notably the chewing of betel leaves.—
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Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui posted a video to X over the weekend, showing a dazzling view of auroras spreading like a tall blanket over the darkened Earth below.—
Adjective
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Elmina, Ghana Africa's shores may be beautiful, but there's a somber history beyond the sun and sand.—
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The morning may feel more somber and reflective, yet by midday, the vibe smooths into something more cooperative and actionable.—
Adjective
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MacFarlane is also said to have faced personal threats from MAGA supporters unhappy with his coverage of the Justice Department.—
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Earlier this season, Marchment struggled mightily — and seemed plenty unhappy — with the Seattle Kraken, but his trade to the Blue Jackets in late December revitalized his season.—
Adjective
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Police released an image captured from a surveillance video showing a person wearing dark clothes and a backpack, with their face covered.—
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But the late-Baroque facade of the building conceals a special, darker history, one that reflects persistent political and legal problems for the bank thousands of miles away, in the US.—
Adjective
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The aggression with which both parties have worked to manipulate district lines—while loudly inveighing against the other party for doing the exact same thing—is cynical and depressing.—
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The case exposed the depressing banality of it all—the man smiling politely at you at the bakery, only to rape your comatose body at night.—
Adjective
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El Teniente's general manager, Claudio Sougarret, recently said production will be depressed for the next five years as a result of the accident.—
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Minnelli writes that Garland would remain in bed for days, depressed and heavily drugged.—
Cite this Entry
“Gloomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloomy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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