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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a bleak December morning
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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 stakes are high, as the visits take place amid turbulent geopolitical tensions.—
Natasha Turak,
CNBC,
9 May 2025
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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
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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The poll also found chilly feelings toward DOGE’s cuts to the federal government among Peach State voters.—
Tara Suter,
The Hill,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Despite the somber subject matter, cruise ship visitors shouldn’t hesitate to make the museum a priority.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Dedicated to the 184 victims who died at the Pentagon and on American Airlines Flight 77 during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the somber National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial features 184 illuminated benches situated among 84 Crepe Myrtle trees.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
3 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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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
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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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What was so chilling about Adolescence, after all, was the implication that its protagonist could have been any angry boy in the world.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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The whiskey is powerful on the nose, with bold aromas of dark brown sugar, mesquite smoke, saddle leather, and vanilla bean.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
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 18 May. 2025.
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