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
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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
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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
Indiana currently leads that series 3-1, with Milwaukee’s future looking bleak after Damian Lillard’s unfortunate Achilles rupture.
—
Shane Young, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Although Senga pitched extremely well throughout the spring, the starting pitching outlook still looked rather bleak when the Mets opened up shop at Citi Field back in the beginning of April.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
Yet even as their future prospects looked bleak, there was little appetite for détente.
—Chang Che, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
With the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under the direction of billionaire Elon Musk, shuttering 11 OSHA offices across the country including in Baton Rouge and Houston, worker advocates say the future looks bleak for oversight of industry — and not just with heat rules.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Shane Young, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Although Senga pitched extremely well throughout the spring, the starting pitching outlook still looked rather bleak when the Mets opened up shop at Citi Field back in the beginning of April.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
Yet even as their future prospects looked bleak, there was little appetite for détente.
—Chang Che, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
With the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under the direction of billionaire Elon Musk, shuttering 11 OSHA offices across the country including in Baton Rouge and Houston, worker advocates say the future looks bleak for oversight of industry — and not just with heat rules.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleak
Adjective
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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
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The lack of business on Sunday and Monday nights could be especially depressing.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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The stakes are high, as the visits take place amid turbulent geopolitical tensions.—
Natasha Turak,
CNBC,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Mornings can be chilly, afternoons can be warm, and cave tours can be downright cold.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
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This setup tends to prevent the normal west-to-east movement of weather systems and tends to lock in chilly, unsettled conditions in some areas, while other locations have an extended period of dry and warm conditions, AccuWeather said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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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
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On a rainy Easter at his home in the South of France, on the last day of March in 2024, Clooney heard from Katzenberg, who made his ask—a fund-raiser in June.—
Jake Tapper,
New Yorker,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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The chilling effects, while hard to measure, are evident after Trump’s first 100 days in office, according to press freedom groups like the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
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With its chilling new lineup and bold international scope, the Fantastic Pavilion is staking its claim as the soul of genre cinema at Cannes.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Large amounts of larvae were in dark crevices inside the homes, including under appliances or furniture.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
10 May 2025
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Where to watch: Max 'Another Simple Favor' In Paul Feig's dark comedy mystery sequel, crime-solving mommy vlogger Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) is shocked when fresh-out-of-jail frenemy Emily (Blake Lively) invites her to be maid of honor at her wedding in Capri.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Hundreds of people braved Ohio’s snowy winter to experience the earthwork.—
Kevin Williams,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 May 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Bleak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleak. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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