1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

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

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

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 bleak With a tight runtime, magnetic central performance and bleak but compelling subject matter, theatrical prospects could be potentially rewarding for an appropriate arthouse distributor. Catherine Bray, Variety, 16 May 2025 The bleak first quarter at the box office took a toll on AMC’s earnings, which the chain reported last week. Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025 But the folksy family spectacle took several bleak turns. Janine Rubenstein, People.com, 13 May 2025 This bleak vision of Hollywood makes for a fascinating backdrop. Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bleak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleak
Adjective
  • Instead, Chernow devotes a hefty portion of his 1,039 pages (excluding notes) to Twain’s personal tribulations, a depressing series of bungles and calamities starting in the author’s middle age.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
  • Based on the memoir of a real doctor, the stories and tribulations feel achingly real, and Whishaw's sly smile and tongue-in-cheek delivery keeps the depressing stories from becoming too morose.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • The stakes are high, as the visits take place amid turbulent geopolitical tensions.
    Natasha Turak, CNBC, 9 May 2025
  • The film spans two decades of a country in profound transformation with a new perspective into contemporary China and individual experience amid turbulent change.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • During chilly morning boat excursions, hot water bottles appeared on our seats.
    Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2025
  • Listen to this article A small group, most wearing light jackets in the chilly May evening, gathered in prayer outside the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City Monday night just hours before Benjamin Ritchie was executed by lethal injection.
    Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Rayburn partners up with local sheriff Alice Gustafson (Annabelle Wallis) in a somber yet tumultuous pursuit of a killer who uses brutal traps and primal tactics.
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • That’s the question writer-director Ari Aster’s somber comedy-Western Eddington, playing in competition here at the Cannes Film Festival, appears to be asking.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Zara came extra prepared for the rainy outdoor appearance, wearing protective stoppers on the heels of her shoes to prevent her from sinking into the wet grass.
    Stephanie Petit, People.com, 14 May 2025
  • Denver defeated Gang Green 10-9 last season in a rainy, sloppy affair at MetLife Stadium.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • The feared chilling effect on consumption, if any, would be limited to imports.
    Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • In their Tuesday ruling, Eleventh Circuit Judges Robin Rosenbaum and Nancy Abudu agreed with the lower court’s findings that the ban was unconstitutionally vague and created a chilling effect on free speech.
    Samantha Riedel, Them., 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • But there are others worth your time, including Netflix's surprisingly dark — if equally engrossing — TV series which premiered in March 2017.
    Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 10 May 2025
  • Harry, meanwhile, channeled the country theme of the show by wearing his cowboy hat with dark jeans and a gray shirt over a black top.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Hundreds of people braved Ohio’s snowy winter to experience the earthwork.
    Kevin Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
  • However, the company navigated through a significant slowdown in February as rainy, snowy, and cold weather kept people indoors and away from restaurants, leading to comp sales growth of just 0.5%.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 8 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bleak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleak. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bleak

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!