1
as in depressing
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
a bleak outlook for the team for the rest of the season
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
it was a dark and bleak wintry day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a bleak December morning
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bleak
At best, The Loneliest Man in Town creates a unique vibe that’s partly steeped in such memories and partly filled with contemporary malaise, although the film never feels overtly bleak and ultimately holds out hope for Cook’s future.
—
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
For much of my natural hair journey, options were bleak.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
But there’s still no denying that, just like Patrick, Jaques has made a bleak subgenre of cinema a little bit sunnier.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026
Things looked bleak for Team USA after conceding three points in the eighth end to put them 5-2 down with two ends to go.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
For much of my natural hair journey, options were bleak.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026
But there’s still no denying that, just like Patrick, Jaques has made a bleak subgenre of cinema a little bit sunnier.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026
Things looked bleak for Team USA after conceding three points in the eighth end to put them 5-2 down with two ends to go.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleak
Adjective
-
That simple scenario is a lot less depressing.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
These could become depressing, as well as confusing.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Though the region of the Milky Way called the Galactic Center is expected to be replete with pulsars, spotting them is challenging because of how extreme, turbulent, and densely packed the heart of our galaxy is.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
21 Feb. 2026
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It’s been a turbulent few years for Ubisoft.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Bedsure GentleSoft Fleece Blanket There’s nothing quite like snuggling under a cozy blanket during chilly weather.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
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Joonhee Park’s grayscale set design, complemented by Ben Carne’s fluorescent lighting, particularly suits Marlene’s harsh corporate world, but the chilly look also nods to Thatcherite austerity throughout the play.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At the center of the space will be a central bar wrapped in wood paneling and leather accents, topped with dark stone, according to the release.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
February 17,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
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The shoes accompanied a silky black midi skirt, a simple gray sweater, a thick dark turquoise belt and a long furry gray coat worn off her shoulders.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
London, United Kingdom — On a rainy afternoon in London, Yin Xiuzhen sits under a canopy of red, pink, purple and orange garments stretched over a steel frame.—
Precious Adesina,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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During the rainy season in 2025, city leaders were late to establish the pump trucks, only doing so after several businesses had already flooded.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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According to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, in an interview televised by the German Press Agency, Waller said that the verdict could have a chilling effect on how climbers approach trips into the mountains in Austria.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
21 Feb. 2026
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But layered onto Savannah’s celebrity is the general mystery surrounding the chilling case.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The panel event, the subject of which was decided in late December, was a somber affair in the wake of the harsh crackdown by Iran’s Islamic Republic government on anti-government demonstrations on January 8 and 9, which has left thousands dead or detained.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
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Tone turns on a dime, the acting broad one minute, somber the next.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Despite a wet and, in some places, snowy start to the week, Southern Californians can expect sunshine and clearer skies by Friday, with temperatures in the mid-60s by Saturday.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
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Rihanna’s Vaquera version brings that trend into a monochrome, comfort-first frame suited to a snowy New York night.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bleak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleak. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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