DREARY Synonyms: 286 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'dreary' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dreary are bleak , cheerless , desolate , dismal , and gloomy . While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," dreary , often interchangeable with dismal , emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility. // a dreary job

Q: When might 'bleak' be a better fit than 'dreary'?

The meanings of bleak and dreary largely overlap; however, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten. // the bleak years of the depression

Q: When can 'cheerless' be used instead of 'dreary'?

While in some cases nearly identical to dreary , cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering. // a drab and cheerless office

Q: Where would 'desolate' be a reasonable alternative to 'dreary'?

The words desolate and dreary can be used in similar contexts, but desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect. // a desolate outpost

Q: In what contexts can 'dismal' take the place of 'dreary'?

The words dismal and dreary are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess. // dismal weather

Q: When could 'gloomy' be used to replace 'dreary'?

In some situations, the words gloomy and dreary are roughly equivalent. However, gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise. // gloomy war news

dreary

adjective

ˈdrir-ē

Definition of dreary next

as in bleak

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer vowed that he would never take a desk job working in a dreary office

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in depressing

causing unhappiness decided to see a professional counselor in order to save their dreary marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in boring

causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest another dreary social event to suffer through

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dreary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dreary are bleak, cheerless, desolate, dismal, and gloomy. While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," dreary, often interchangeable with dismal, emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility.

a dreary job

When might bleak be a better fit than dreary?

The meanings of bleak and dreary largely overlap; however, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten.

the bleak years of the depression

When can cheerless be used instead of dreary?

While in some cases nearly identical to dreary, cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering.

a drab and cheerless office

Where would desolate be a reasonable alternative to dreary?

The words desolate and dreary can be used in similar contexts, but desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect.

a desolate outpost

In what contexts can dismal take the place of dreary?

The words dismal and dreary are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess.

dismal weather

When could gloomy be used to replace dreary?

In some situations, the words gloomy and dreary are roughly equivalent. However, gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise.

gloomy war news

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dreary Some cities in the United States will be enjoying some unseasonably warm temperatures this Halloween, while others will see more dreary conditions. —

Abigail Adams, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024 Unfortunately, that's where the interest both begins and ends in this otherwise unimaginative, dreary slog that feels tremendously far removed from the original's onslaught of horror. —

Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2024 While Detroit will see a warm, mostly dry Election Day much of the state is set for wet, dreary conditions. —

Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024 While the forecast says Detroit will be mainly dry, much of the state is set for wet, dreary conditions on Election Day, according to meteorologists at the National Weather Service. —

Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dreary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreary

Adjective

As my colleague Meg James wrote, this is the latest bleak sign for the long-beleaguered pay-TV business, which continues to lose subscribers by the millions.

Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024
This ebullience, however, required keeping bleak thoughts at bay.

Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024