as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness
the morning bleakness prompted me to get a fire going
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Recent Examples of bleakness
In Pynchon’s best works, his bleakness is brightened, in both senses—illuminated and made lighter—by the sweep of his vision and his affection for his fallible, foolhardy, well-meaning, wildly outmatched main characters.
—
Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
The campaign has already exceeded its goal by more than $38,000 dollars, with six days to go, proving no amount of dystopian bleakness will deter true Black Mirror fans.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
While The Road confronts us with the bleakness of planetary destruction, the sensory deprivation chamber in which Harpman holds her characters (and, therefore, readers) leaves no choice but to travel deep into our bodies.
—Hazlitt, 23 Oct. 2024
Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
The campaign has already exceeded its goal by more than $38,000 dollars, with six days to go, proving no amount of dystopian bleakness will deter true Black Mirror fans.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
While The Road confronts us with the bleakness of planetary destruction, the sensory deprivation chamber in which Harpman holds her characters (and, therefore, readers) leaves no choice but to travel deep into our bodies.
—Hazlitt, 23 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleakness
Noun
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And in the West, the chill will be accompanied by several inches of snow in the mountains, which will make for some artistic fall foliage photos for leaf-peepers who venture out there.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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Chanasya Faux-Fur Throw Blanket Get warm and cozy with this chunky throw blanket that will protect you from the chills and drafts that creep into your home.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Delicious and full of flavor, the roast contains brown sugar that balances out the bitterness of the beer, while vinegar adds a hint of brightness.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
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Additions like maple and honey round out the bitterness and tartness, creating balanced cocktails with depth and finesse.—
Essence,
Essence,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bleakness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleakness. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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