as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
a dank and cheerless castle that was once the site of unspeakable horrors
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cheerless
For three days, things were cheerless for Courtney Williams.
—
Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 28 May 2025
Gomez gestured across the street toward 100 Centre Street—the criminal courthouse, a cheerless Art Deco building the color of cinder blocks.
—Sarah Lustbader, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Election polls may seem cheerless, inscrutable, and wrapped in data and murky terminology.
—W. Joseph Campbell, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
Wedged between the cheerless skyscrapers of Third Avenue and an uncharming stretch of Second, just blocks north of the bro bars of Murray Hill, is a row of nine townhouses.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Aug. 2024
Their lives had been expended in cheerless labor, there wills broken, their intelligences numbed.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 5 July 2024
That turned an entertaining exhibition into an awkward and cheerless faux-competitive affair.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 19 July 2022
For all his gloom, Mann was not entirely cheerless.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2021
Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 28 May 2025
Gomez gestured across the street toward 100 Centre Street—the criminal courthouse, a cheerless Art Deco building the color of cinder blocks.
—Sarah Lustbader, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Election polls may seem cheerless, inscrutable, and wrapped in data and murky terminology.
—W. Joseph Campbell, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
Wedged between the cheerless skyscrapers of Third Avenue and an uncharming stretch of Second, just blocks north of the bro bars of Murray Hill, is a row of nine townhouses.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Aug. 2024
Their lives had been expended in cheerless labor, there wills broken, their intelligences numbed.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 5 July 2024
That turned an entertaining exhibition into an awkward and cheerless faux-competitive affair.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 19 July 2022
For all his gloom, Mann was not entirely cheerless.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheerless
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, things are looking bleak for John Cena’s Chris Smith.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
-
But while these models are enthrall Environmental activist Jane Goodall, who died Wednesday at the age of 91, understood the bleak projections from climate scientists — and the economic and political structures that hinder change.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As gaming becomes a more mainstream activity, however, these stereotypes grow more archaic, and a new study from the Entertainment Software Association suggests that the universal image of a gamer as a lonely young male is not just outdated, but inaccurate.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
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His lonely white panel cap, the lucky charm the Jays wore for four-straight victories, sat alone on a cushioned chair.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These early, somber moments cast a mood, but the film is eager to hold Polly’s feet to some fire.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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The primary hue associated with passion and confidence is the instant energy boost your wardrobe needs—especially during the fall and winter, when the somber mood outside often gets expressed in neutrals-heavy style.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Smithsonian Institution, which includes all the Smithsonian museums, plans to go dark after Saturday if the government shutdown continues beyond then, according to its website.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
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Polselli brings a painterly gaze to scenes of quiet dread, such as a figure gradually appearing out of thick brush as two women make their way home through dark woods.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As a result, his work is equal parts depressing and invigorating.—
Walt Hunter,
The Atlantic,
9 Oct. 2025
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This also doesn’t imply the book is depressing or a tear-jerker—quite the opposite.—
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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To find the killer, Sherlock Holmes and Watson will have to brave desolate moors before a family curse dooms the newest heirs.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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With its primary tenant away, the pro stadium here in central Japan was desolate outside.—
Brad Lefton,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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According to Agnifilo, three medical experts have diagnosed Combs with post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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The next seven months are a gray, depressive blur.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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About 90 minutes earlier in the game, Thornton sprinted down the center of the field on a post route, basically all by his lonesome.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
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All in all, Jones should have the power to uplift this shaky defense on his lonesome.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cheerless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheerless. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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