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

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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

Whitley said, drawing back curtains to welcome the bit of natural light attempting to power through an otherwise gloomy day. — Karen Robinson-jacobs, latimes.com, "Actress-comedienne Kym Whitley pictures family in her den," 8 June 2019 The former move was presumed — Okpala is projected for the first round — but Ryan’s departure adds a touch of dark gray to a somewhat gloomy canvass. — Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, "Stock report: On USC football momentum, Stanford basketball personnel hits, Pac-12 bowl partners and more," 7 June 2019 And De Light, now on €1m-per-week wages at the Toon, would love life in sunny Newcastle, as opposed to the gloomy, rainy, pathetic beaches of Barcelona. — SI.com, "Newcastle Takeover: Picking a Completely Realistic Magpies Starting XI Under Rafa Benitez," 5 June 2019 CICs are boxy, gloomy, windowless rooms with sailors sitting at banks of consoles, data scrolling down screens in front of them. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "This Frigate's Combat Information Center Is Straight Out of 'Star Trek'," 29 May 2019 Not all is gloomy in the Mexican commercial property market sector. — Peter Grant, WSJ, "Mexican Property Market Gets One-Two Punch from Trump and López Obrador," 1 Jan. 2019 The game’s story mode leads you through gloomy Gotham, sunny Metropolis, and even to the fiery realm of Apokolips, with a detour to Clark Kent’s hometown of Smallville thrown in for good measure. — Sarah Leboeuf, Ars Technica, "LEGO DC Super-Villains," 22 Oct. 2018 The gloomy trading day in the United States followed a mixed day elsewhere. — Matt Phillips And Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, "Markets Tumble Again as U.S.-China Trade Tensions Continue to Rise," 6 Apr. 2018 Walmart defied a gloomy government retail sales report for December, delivering fiscal fourth-quarter profits and sales that beat Wall Street expectations. — Anne D'innocenzio, The Seattle Times, "Walmart flexes in the fourth quarter, beats all expectations," 20 Feb. 2019

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.