ELEGIAC Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

elegiac 1 of 2

adjective

ˌe-lə-ˈjī-ək

variants also elegiacal

Definition of elegiac

as in somber

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the sight of an old ruined church or castle can be a pleasantly elegiac experience

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

elegiac

2 of 2

noun

as in monody

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of elegiac

Adjective

The elegiac opening and closing chapters, in which Crowther imagines visiting Monroe’s home and scanning her shelves, also add to the feeling that too much is being extrapolated out of not enough information. — Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026 Roversi’s elegiac style was inspired by the Byzantine architecture and cultural backdrop of his hometown as well as the work of August Sander, Robert Frank and Diane Arbus. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 May 2026

Noun

There’s also something a little elegiac about it. — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elegiac

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elegiac

Adjective

Later, Ethel Cain provides a warm yet somber comedown in the early evening with her brand of folk-pop.

— Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
The ritual is one of the most somber duties of a commander-in-chief.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026

Definition of somber

Noun

But that selflessness comes to feel like the point of this lingering, resonantly sad film — above all else, an elegy for lives unseen and unknown.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 July 2026
What begins as a novel ostensibly about ‘cancel culture’ quickly shifts into a rueful elegy for a dying world.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Definition of elegy

Noun

The council and public were given the opportunity to speak about Gonzales, and the meeting was adjourned with taps in her honor.

— Mary Ella Hastings July 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
At the beer garden, Gilroy’s Promised Land Brewing Company will add its garlic craft brew to the array of taps.

— Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 20 July 2026

Definition of taps

Noun

Ashura processions are usually dramatic affairs, with chanters singing elegies or dirges dedicated to Hussein, while audience members beat their chests and engage in displays of mourning.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026
This is the starting point of Earth 7, Deb Olin Unferth’s stellar and sweeping science fiction novel that is part cosmic comedy and part dirge to our dying world.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026

Definition of dirge

Adjective

The song arrives alongside a cinematic, albeit somewhat depressing, video directed by Mikai Karl and starring distinctive French character actor Denis Lavant (Beau Travail, Mauvais Sang).

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 15 July 2026
In addition to which, the Moon is lined up with stern Saturn, which can be depressing.

— Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 July 2026

Definition of depressing

Adjective

Protesters covered events in real time, filming Instagram reels, sharing videos and memes – often laced with dark humor and jibes at Modi – and posting updates from the protest site.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
The path of totality — the moon’s dark shadow — will cross eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, from where the sun’s corona will become visible, if skies are clear, for up to 2 minutes 18 seconds.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of dark

Browse Nearby Words

elegantly

elegiac

elegiacs

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“Elegiac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elegiac. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of elegiac

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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