Thesaurus

bleak

Q: How does the adjective 'bleak' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bleak are cheerless , desolate , dismal , dreary , and gloomy . While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten. // the bleak years of the depression

Q: When is 'cheerless' a more appropriate choice than 'bleak'?

The words cheerless and bleak can be used in similar contexts, but cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering. // a drab and cheerless office

Q: In what contexts can 'desolate' take the place of 'bleak'?

The meanings of desolate and bleak largely overlap; however, desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect. // a desolate outpost

Q: When might 'dismal' be a better fit than 'bleak'?

The synonyms dismal and bleak are sometimes interchangeable, but dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess. // dismal weather

Q: Where would 'dreary' be a reasonable alternative to 'bleak'?

While the synonyms dreary and bleak are close in meaning, dreary , often interchangeable with dismal , emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility. // a dreary job

Q: When would 'gloomy' be a good substitute for 'bleak'?

The words gloomy and bleak are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise. // gloomy war news

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Synonyms & Antonyms of bleak

1 causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer

a bleak outlook for the team for the rest of the season

Synonyms for bleak

Words Related to bleak

Near Antonyms for bleak

Antonyms for bleak

2 marked by wet and windy conditions

it was a dark and bleak wintry day

Synonyms for bleak

Words Related to bleak

rainy,
snowy

Near Antonyms for bleak

rainless

Antonyms for bleak

3 uncomfortably cool

a bleak December morning

Synonyms for bleak

Words Related to bleak

Near Antonyms for bleak

balmy,
warm

lukewarm,
tepid

heated,
warmed

Frequently Asked Questions About bleak

How does the adjective bleak contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bleak are cheerless, desolate, dismal, dreary, and gloomy. While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten.

the bleak years of the depression

When is cheerless a more appropriate choice than bleak?

The words cheerless and bleak can be used in similar contexts, but cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering.

a drab and cheerless office

In what contexts can desolate take the place of bleak?

The meanings of desolate and bleak largely overlap; however, desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect.

a desolate outpost

When might dismal be a better fit than bleak?

The synonyms dismal and bleak are sometimes interchangeable, but dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess.

dismal weather

Where would dreary be a reasonable alternative to bleak?

While the synonyms dreary and bleak are close in meaning, dreary, often interchangeable with dismal, emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility.

a dreary job