GLOOMY Synonyms: 294 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of gloomy are bleak , cheerless , desolate , dismal , and dreary . While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise. // gloomy war news

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

While in some cases nearly identical to gloomy , bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten. // the bleak years of the depression

Q: When would 'cheerless' be a good substitute for 'gloomy'?

In some situations, the words cheerless and gloomy are roughly equivalent. However, cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering. // a drab and cheerless office

Q: When is 'desolate' a more appropriate choice than 'gloomy'?

The meanings of desolate and gloomy largely overlap; however, desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect. // a desolate outpost

Q: When can 'dismal' be used instead of 'gloomy'?

While the synonyms dismal and gloomy are close in meaning, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess. // dismal weather

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

The words dreary and gloomy can be used in similar contexts, but dreary , often interchangeable with dismal , emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility. // a dreary job

gloomy

adjective

ˈglü-mē

Definition of gloomy next

as in bleak

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the cold rain made for a gloomy day

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sad

feeling unhappiness has been gloomy ever since the breakup with his girlfriend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gloomy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gloomy are bleak, cheerless, desolate, dismal, and dreary. While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise.

gloomy war news

When might bleak be a better fit than gloomy?

While in some cases nearly identical to gloomy, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten.

the bleak years of the depression

When would cheerless be a good substitute for gloomy?

In some situations, the words cheerless and gloomy are roughly equivalent. However, cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering.

a drab and cheerless office

When is desolate a more appropriate choice than gloomy?

The meanings of desolate and gloomy largely overlap; however, desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect.

a desolate outpost

When can dismal be used instead of gloomy?

While the synonyms dismal and gloomy are close in meaning, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess.

dismal weather

Where would dreary be a reasonable alternative to gloomy?

The words dreary and gloomy can be used in similar contexts, but dreary, often interchangeable with dismal, emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility.

a dreary job

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 gloomy Seattle’s damp and gloomy climate nurtured the prevailing preference for a relaxed silhouette, soft fabrics, and disparate layers. —

Christina Pérez, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2024 Walsh’s book was tighter, Crowley’s sets were brighter and less gloomy, Luke Hall’s video designs popped and Depeche Mode’s musical director Peter Gordeno came on as musical supervisor. —

Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2024 The gloomy clouds over the long-term business potential of TV began to gather before the pandemic, but the COVID-19 disruption coupled with the writers’ and actors’ strikes last year forced the industry to confront difficult issues that are no longer far down the road. —

Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024 That slump comes against a gloomy economic backdrop for China, which is still struggling to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and is beset with inflation and a sluggish property market. —

Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gloomy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloomy

Adjective

Some recipients responded to the texts with anger and others with a sense of humor, but many agree that the messages seem to be a bleak foreshadowing.

Char Adams, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
The stock's fate hinges on the 2024 presidential election results, with potential appreciation if Trump wins, but a bleak outlook if Kamala Harris prevails.

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024