dreariness

noun

drear·​i·​ness -rēnə̇s How to pronounce dreariness (audio)
-rin-
plural -es
Synonyms of drearinessnext
1
archaic : sadness
2
a
: the quality or state of being dull and uninteresting : monotony, gloominess
the occasional dreariness of being dutifulClaudia Cassidy
b
: something that is dull, monotonous, and uninteresting
the concert was one of those fragmentary drearinesses that people endure because they are fashionableMark Twain

Word History

Etymology

Middle English drerinesse, from Old English drēorignys, from drēorig sad, bloody + -nys, -nes -ness

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Cite this Entry

“Dreariness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dreariness. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.

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