gloomy

adjective

\ ˈglü-mē

gloomier; gloomiest

Definition of gloomy

1a : partially or totally dark especially : dismally and depressingly dark gloomy weather

b : having a frowning or scowling appearance : forbidding a gloomy countenance

c : low in spirits : melancholy

2a : causing gloom : depressing a gloomy story a gloomy landscape

b : lacking in promise or hopefulness : pessimistic gloomy prophecies a gloomy future

Other Words from gloomy Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about gloomy

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for gloomy

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

sullen, glum, morose, surly, sulky, crabbed, saturnine, gloomy mean showing a forbidding or disagreeable mood. sullen implies a silent ill humor and a refusal to be sociable. remained sullen amid the festivities glum suggests a silent dispiritedness. a glum candidate left to ponder a stunning defeat morose adds to glum an element of bitterness or misanthropy. morose job seekers who are inured to rejection surly implies gruffness and sullenness of speech or manner. a typical surly teenager sulky suggests childish resentment expressed in peevish sullenness. grew sulky after every spat crabbed applies to a forbidding morose harshness of manner. the school's notoriously crabbed headmaster saturnine describes a heavy forbidding aspect or suggests a bitter disposition. a saturnine cynic always finding fault gloomy implies a depression in mood making for seeming sullenness or glumness. a gloomy mood ushered in by bad news

Examples of gloomy in a Sentence

We've had a week of gloomy weather. The news continues to be gloomy. She doesn't agree with their gloomy economic forecasts. His book paints a gloomy picture of the prospects for peace. I've never seen you looking so gloomy.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are old farmhouses made a touch less gloomy with Halloween decorations, and shops and restaurants that have all been boarded up. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, "Fallout 76 journal, day 3: in search of friends and fun," 20 Nov. 2018 London, England The weather in London is notoriously grey and gloomy, especially during the winter months. — Condé Nast Traveler, "What to Pack for Europe: Outfits for Rome, Paris, Lisbon and Beyond," 11 Sep. 2018 Likewise, charcoal-colored homes are infiltrating the white houses and shingled manses of beach enclaves like the Hamptons, where black traditionally would have been considered too gloomy. — Laura Fenton, Curbed, "Black is the new black," 1 Aug. 2018 There might be one point of hope in the gloomy news. — Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "US life expectancy continues to move in reverse," 29 Nov. 2018 The gloomy weather was made more than a bit brighter by Kendra Scott’s sparkling jewels at the brand’s signature Color Bar and a vibrant yellow paper flower wall that guests used as a backdrop for the perfect shot. — Katie Knoll, Vogue, "Making New York Fashion Week Brighter," 19 Sep. 2018 One note of caution: Sentiment has reversed hard this week, but investors are not yet as gloomy as after the 12% fall in the S&P 500 in the summer of 2015. — James Mackintosh, WSJ, "How Worried Should You Be About a Stock-Market Selloff?," 23 Nov. 2018 Everyone’s favorite gloomy writer returned to Steam and GOG.com this week though, and at a whopping 80 percent discount. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Alan Wake is back on sale after a 17 month absence, Layers of Fear 2 announced," 26 Oct. 2018 In other words, don't expect all things to be so gloomy. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Mary Steenburgen’s Guest Appearance on ‘The Conners’ Premiere Looks Very Dark," 15 Oct. 2018

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