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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bleak
All of this paints a very bleak picture of Hollywood’s possible future — one in which movies and series are produced with gen AI by studios that refuse to say anything truly insightful or negative about the technology or its creators.
—
Charles Pulliam-Moore,
The Verge,
23 June 2026
Another loss would paint a bleak picture for Croatia.
—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
My father is a can-do, glass-half-full guy, a quality that has always felt like a rebuke of my own bleak world view, which makes the poor man literally wince.
—
Sarah Miller,
New Yorker,
20 June 2026
The numbers were even bleaker in other categories.
—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Charles Pulliam-Moore,
The Verge,
23 June 2026
Another loss would paint a bleak picture for Croatia.
—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
My father is a can-do, glass-half-full guy, a quality that has always felt like a rebuke of my own bleak world view, which makes the poor man literally wince.
—
Sarah Miller,
New Yorker,
20 June 2026
The numbers were even bleaker in other categories.
—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleak
Adjective
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What a depressing, disturbing waste, no matter the final verdict.
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After watching and enjoying the film, a somewhat depressing thought leaped into my mind.
Adjective
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Directed by Guadagnino from a screenplay by Saturday Night Live alum Simon Rich, Artificial explores Sam Altman’s OpenAI and the company’s turbulent period in 2023 when he was fired and rehired in a matter of days.
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The trauma of a turbulent household had aged her beyond her years.
Adjective
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Being able to switch on the heat when things got chilly in the middle of the night was one of our favorite features on the ID.
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Various paths to the sea allow guests to move between the warmth of the saunas and paljus, to the chilly waters of the Baltic Sea.
Adjective
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Tourism and city officials say that marketplace channels festival foot traffic directly to Black entrepreneurs and helps keep dollars circulating in local neighborhoods long after the stages go dark.
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Jason kept the look casual in a light blue graphic T-shirt, white shorts, a baseball cap and dark sunglasses.
Adjective
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Most riders understand why the trip costs more on a rainy Friday afternoon than on a quiet Sunday morning; adjusting prices for weather, traffic, or supply is a transparent way to balance a market.
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The rainy season in South Florida attracts more amphibious jumpers to home yards — and every pet owner should fear one kind.
Adjective
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Hearing that growl, that was bone chilling, but working with the jaguar was awesome.
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Open-government advocates said the bill would have a chilling effect on the public’s ability to access records.
Adjective
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The film breathes in a dynamic way, the last few beats taking a startling turn toward a somber wistfulness.
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The hilltop De Smet Cemetery strikes a somber note.
Adjective
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Stroll along the shore to enjoy captivating views of evergreen forests, white boats, and the cobalt waters of Puget Sound with snowy Mount Rainier as the stunning backdrop.
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The waitress' hair was a dark brown, and she was blessed with flawless, snowy white skin and eyes of ultramarine blue.
Cite this Entry
“Bleak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleak. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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