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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in chill
an uncomfortable degree of coolness
the morning bleakness prompted me to get a fire going
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 July 2025
Restaurants were closed, staff were furloughed, and the broad outlook on the hospitality industry’s future was, in a word, bleak.
—Lela London, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
The reversal is notable because this traditionally bleak indicator had been trending more positively under Trump's second term—until now.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
The novel’s worldview is bleak beyond imagining, which itself is no great sin, but the mechanism of that bleakness seems particularly cruel.
—Book Marks
july 17, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Adjective
Paired with the gray-ish green color palette, sparse decor, and dark atmospherics in the Institute itself, the bleak vibes may be enough to turn some viewers off for good, especially those horror purists who tune in hoping to be terrified rather than just bummed out.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 July 2025
Restaurants were closed, staff were furloughed, and the broad outlook on the hospitality industry’s future was, in a word, bleak.
—Lela London, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
The reversal is notable because this traditionally bleak indicator had been trending more positively under Trump's second term—until now.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
The novel’s worldview is bleak beyond imagining, which itself is no great sin, but the mechanism of that bleakness seems particularly cruel.
—Book Marks
july 17, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleak
Adjective
-
For women, the situation is even more depressing with 90% of women excluded from the workforce, unable to work outside their homes.—
Natasha Lindstaedt,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
-
And blame can be depressing; accepting responsibility for something that went terribly wrong is often painful and embarrassing.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Flying across the country alone with my infant was far less turbulent with the right preparation.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
1 Aug. 2025
-
For Michelle, 28, knowing her long-term relationship was over—one that had started with a DM, spanned four years, and was turbulent in the way that made letting go feel impossible—came down to seeing him with someone else…in a video watched by over a million people.—
Morgan Sullivan,
Vogue,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Winters are cooler but pleasant, with daytime temperatures in the 60s or 70s but the evenings can be chilly, so perhaps not the best beach weather.—
Amy Bentley,
Oc Register,
23 July 2025
-
Perhaps things are still feeling slightly chilly with the neighbors.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Cover and chill until set, at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
20 July 2025
-
The group continued the search early that same morning at 6:00 a.m. Due to poor weather conditions, including 40-degree temperatures, rain, and a 32-degree wind chill, the search was suspended until that evening.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
In Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s energetic capital, golden spires of the Royal Palace gleam above the river, while visits to the Killing Fields reveal the city’s somber history.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
-
The convention, originally planned as a celebratory coronation, transformed into a tense, somber, and ultimately pivotal gathering.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Special agents alongside local law enforcement spent their rainy Wednesday going to businesses all over South Florida, including gas stations, grocery stores and retail stores.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
23 July 2025
-
The weekend is looking rainy, with showers and thunderstorms forecast both Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, and a high of 88 both days.—
Chad Murphy,
The Enquirer,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Mass deportations and tighter immigration controls could also have a chilling effect on authorized immigration, including workers and students in STEM fields, which could slow the development of new technologies.—
Claudia Sahm,
Mercury News,
29 July 2025
-
One of the most significant impacts of hateful expressions, including the graffiti in Hyde Park and the mural defacement in Pilsen, is its chilling effect on the rest of a community, Mello said.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
Scarlett tempted Zayn to use a lead pipe to show his dark side.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
-
This was courtesy of the changing wind direction, which picked up in strength as a few dark clouds gathered near the circuit, with some drivers even reporting a sprinkling of rain as Q2 got underway.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bleak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleak. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share