Definition of DREARY

Examples of dreary in a Sentence

It was a gray, dreary morning.
The family struggled through dreary economic times.

Recent Examples of dreary from the Web

Even Texas Democrats do not want to think very much about the actual Democratic party in Texas, as dreary a knackery of hackery as can be found in this vale of tears.

— kevin d. williamson, National Review, "Strange Obsessions," 19 July 2017
For now, the Rock Hall generates a steady stream of pedestrians who approach via the dreary quarter-mile of sidewalks, intersections and highway ramps on East Ninth Street that separate downtown proper from the lakefront.

— steven litt, cleveland.com, "Rock Hall under CEO Greg Harris learns to live in the house Pei built (photos, video)," 25 June 2017
Beneath the scar tissue of the giant gash through the heart of Miami known as Interstate 95 are a series of dark and dreary underpasses.

— linda robertson, miamiherald, "Dreary I-95 underpasses could get Miami-style makeovers with art and light," 24 June 2017
He’s been operating the Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles in a glass tower planted on a dreary stretch of Wilshire Boulevard, just off South Barrington, for the past four years.

— rene chun, Los Angeles Magazine, "Inside the Los Angeles Clinic That Uses Ketamine to Treat Depression," 19 June 2017
Despite the dreary weather, the 364 graduates, dressed in royal blue caps and gowns, received their diplomas in a ceremony celebrating their achievements over their four-year career at Simsbury High School.

— jordan otero sisson, Courant Community, "Simsbury Graduates Told To 'Find A Legacy'," 16 June 2017
On a dreary Sunday night in February, a few hundred people packed a community-center auditorium in the West Village to hear the Fordham University law professor Zephyr Teachout explain how the emoluments case might thwart Trump.

— andrew rice, Daily Intelligencer, "Is Trump Inc. the President’s Greatest Vulnerability?," 12 June 2017
On a dreary Tuesday that will be remembered by Jets fans for fond farewells to two of their favorites, Harris was released and Decker was told he will be traded or cut .

— dennis waszak jr., The Seattle Times, "Jets continue purge, part ways with vets Harris, Decker," 6 June 2017
Rain and dreary weather dampened spirits in much of the Midwest and East on Sunday.

— john bacon, USA TODAY, "Surly Memorial Day weather lashing East, South," 28 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dreary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dreary

Middle English drery, from Old English drēorig sad, bloody, from drēor gore; akin to Old High German trūrēn to be sad, Goth driusan to fall

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

dreary Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of dreary

dismal, dreary, bleak, gloomy, cheerless, desolate mean devoid of cheer or comfort. dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess. dismal weather dreary, often interchangeable with dismal, emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility. a dreary job bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten. the bleak years of the depression gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise. gloomy war news cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering. a drab and cheerless office desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect. a desolate outpost