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
The melody gently transitions into somber piano chords, echoing the finality of goodbye and the internal battle between clinging to the past and forging ahead.
—
Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard, 14 Feb. 2025
Valentine’s Day feels somber in Los Angeles in the wake of the devastating wildfires.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2025
The mood in the room was somber and sullen following a 144-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 2 Feb. 2025
After running a somber ad in the 2024 Super Bowl aimed at fighting hate and bigotry, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism tapped Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady in a spot that had the celebrities squaring off against one another, ticking off reasons why people don’t like one another.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard, 14 Feb. 2025
Valentine’s Day feels somber in Los Angeles in the wake of the devastating wildfires.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2025
The mood in the room was somber and sullen following a 144-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 2 Feb. 2025
After running a somber ad in the 2024 Super Bowl aimed at fighting hate and bigotry, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism tapped Snoop Dogg and Tom Brady in a spot that had the celebrities squaring off against one another, ticking off reasons why people don’t like one another.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu displayed images of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, during an address at a combat officers' graduation ceremony on Sunday, delivering a solemn message.—
Danielle Wallace,
Fox News,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Language experts were consulted, solemn arguments had, brows were furrowed, everyone treated the whole thing awfully seriously.—
Nick Miller,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But doctors have begun to suspect that this year's flu season—the most severe in over 15 years—has taken a yet darker turn for children.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
27 Feb. 2025
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Master of maturation Andrea Wilson adds her own tasting notes, describing baking spice, dark fruit, toffee, fragrant citrus, and floral notes on the palate, followed by a round, complex finish.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Cronenberg gives the whole movie a funereal pall: a sense that sad things are going to happen to good people, but there’ll be a sad honor to it all.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
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But if the incoming first lady and her stepdaughter were not wearing black, the ensembles donned by daughter Tiffany Trump, daughter-in-law Lara Trump and granddaughter Kai Trump also appeared to be somber, even funereal looking.—
Martha Ross,
The Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Depths are a murky environment with unique gameplay mechanics tied to darkness and light, so players better not skimp on lanterns and torches.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
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Speaking Wednesday at the HPA Tech Retreat, an annual engineering conference taking place this week in Palm Springs, Welsh reviewed some of the recent steps and decisions toward AI legislation, a subject that remains murky.—
Carolyn Giardina,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Bill’s smarm has calcified into a kind of mad obsession; Hal is a starkly lonely and cowardly man.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
22 Feb. 2025
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Prepare For It To Be A Lonely Road I was told that entrepreneurship is a lonely road.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Especially sad is the case of Netta, one of Liat’s three children, who survived the attack.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Feb. 2025
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But after a third season that saw Billy (Gil Bellows) strut around with a coterie of women from a Robert Palmer video before dropping dead of a brain tumor, this outing is remarkably grounded, poignant…and sad.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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