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
The free-agent market projects to be bleak for players hoping to change teams this offseason because the Brooklyn Nets are the only team expected to have significant salary-cap space.
—
Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Deep into second-half stoppage time, down 1-0 to visiting Charlotte FC, things looked bleak for Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night at Children’s Mercy Park.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
For five years, from ages 12 to 17, Tyler De Los Reyes was homeless and his future looked bleak.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025
During that bleak era, Che-Chung Tsai, a researcher at the University of Washington, contacted several companies, seeking experimental drugs for use in an animal study.
—Jon Cohen, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Deep into second-half stoppage time, down 1-0 to visiting Charlotte FC, things looked bleak for Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night at Children’s Mercy Park.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
For five years, from ages 12 to 17, Tyler De Los Reyes was homeless and his future looked bleak.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025
During that bleak era, Che-Chung Tsai, a researcher at the University of Washington, contacted several companies, seeking experimental drugs for use in an animal study.
—Jon Cohen, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleak
Adjective
-
That’s a depressing setup, but the film is a lot gentler.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
-
And on that depressing thought, that's how Squid Game ended.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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At the tight end position, a turbulent year around him in 2024 didn’t allow for any consistency for Jake Ferguson, especially when factoring in his injuries.—
Nick Harris
July 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 July 2025
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Chapek’s short and turbulent reign ended in 2022 when Iger returned as CEO.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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That’s still chilly, but remember the greenhouse effect: there is a lot of frozen methane and carbon dioxide on Pluto, so these ices can vaporize and possibly provide enough thermal retention to make the tiny world at least somewhat comfortable, if not exactly habitable.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
3 July 2025
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On sale for $79, it can be worn on chilly flights, tossed over a dress on cooler evenings, or paired with leggings for a casual travel day look.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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However, while circumstances were smooth-sailing at the start, things quickly took a somber turn on July 2, 1937.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
People.com,
2 July 2025
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His overjoyed demeanor starkly contrasted with his somber appearance in court just a day before when jurors said they were deadlocked on one of the five counts.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Between 2021 and 2024, Dr Chávez and collaborators conducted several surveys during both the rainy season (2021, 2023) and dry season (2023, 2024).—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Mushrooms are common during the rainy season; remove them if children or pets are present. 63.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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Finally, Trump’s travel ban could have a chilling effect on future foreign medical applicants to the U.S. Prospective physicians may be deterred from considering medical training programs in America given the challenges and hurdles present in securing visas.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
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Critics said the program fueled a narrative of bias and created a chilling effect among the academic community.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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The duo stepped out in complementary dark ensembles, with Hayek wearing one of her favorite footwear looks — hefty platform heels — with a black velvet dress.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
9 July 2025
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Look for bronze or dark spots on the foliage or prominent purple veins.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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With another snowy winter blanketing Music City, most Nashvillians need a vacation.—
Audrey Gibbs,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
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Spring has arrived in Austin, which also signals the return of potential severe weather — on the heels of an unusually cold and snowy winter.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bleak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleak. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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