DREARY Synonyms: 286 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'dreary' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dreary are bleak , cheerless , desolate , dismal , and gloomy . While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," dreary , often interchangeable with dismal , emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility. // a dreary job

Q: When might 'bleak' be a better fit than 'dreary'?

The meanings of bleak and dreary largely overlap; however, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten. // the bleak years of the depression

Q: When can 'cheerless' be used instead of 'dreary'?

While in some cases nearly identical to dreary , cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering. // a drab and cheerless office

Q: Where would 'desolate' be a reasonable alternative to 'dreary'?

The words desolate and dreary can be used in similar contexts, but desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect. // a desolate outpost

Q: In what contexts can 'dismal' take the place of 'dreary'?

The words dismal and dreary are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess. // dismal weather

Q: When could 'gloomy' be used to replace 'dreary'?

In some situations, the words gloomy and dreary are roughly equivalent. However, gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise. // gloomy war news

dreary

adjective

ˈdrir-ē

Definition of dreary

as in bleak

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer vowed that he would never take a desk job working in a dreary office

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in depressing

causing unhappiness decided to see a professional counselor in order to save their dreary marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in boring

causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest another dreary social event to suffer through

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dreary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dreary are bleak, cheerless, desolate, dismal, and gloomy. While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," dreary, often interchangeable with dismal, emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility.

a dreary job

When might bleak be a better fit than dreary?

The meanings of bleak and dreary largely overlap; however, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten.

the bleak years of the depression

When can cheerless be used instead of dreary?

While in some cases nearly identical to dreary, cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering.

a drab and cheerless office

Where would desolate be a reasonable alternative to dreary?

The words desolate and dreary can be used in similar contexts, but desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect.

a desolate outpost

In what contexts can dismal take the place of dreary?

The words dismal and dreary are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess.

dismal weather

When could gloomy be used to replace dreary?

In some situations, the words gloomy and dreary are roughly equivalent. However, gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise.

gloomy war news

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 dreary Ormund is introduced in the third-season premiere issuing orders at his army’s encampment and then, with a put-upon air, closely sniffing his pomander as if offended by the whole dreary business. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026 Unscary, plodding, dreary with a cast of characters that isn’t dwindling in terms of body count, but certainly in terms of my enjoyment and respect. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 In the new Prime Video series, Lexi Minetree plays the iconic character, who must adapt to a new high school as her family swaps Bel-Air for dreary Seattle. — Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 24 June 2026 In recent days, young Knicks fans have been made to digest from their dreary Boomer elders heavy doses of old-timey hoops lore, but mainly about the 1970 title series, featuring Willis Reed’s limping, yet noble appearance in Game Seven, his injured leg shot up with painkillers. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dreary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreary

Adjective

Using the pretense of a documentary film crew, the show follows the excruciatingly dull workday experiences of a paper supply company in a drab office in a bleak industrial estate in Slough, England.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
India's quarterly economic growth has exceeded expectations several times over the past year, defying a bleak global trade environment, high energy prices and geopolitical uncertainties.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of bleak

Adjective

Floor-to-ceiling glass walls let a lot of light into the space, which is decorated in tones of gray, with dark wood herring bone floors in the bar.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2026
In its concluding episodes, the HBO juggernaut thrust an unearned heel turn on its female lead, rendered its climactic battle so dark viewers couldn’t see it, and ended over 70 hours of buildup with a rando on the Iron Throne.

— Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of dark

Adjective

However — here is the gold dust — the perfect blend is gay AND sad.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Top Plays from Broncos @ Chiefs Perhaps the only solace for the Broncos after a season of sky-high expectations opened with a flop is those sorts of sad adjectives belonged to everyone.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

Soreness began settling in, and Mincey taught us a technique for safely walking on locked knees to spare our tiring muscles, which got us through the steep and gravelly hike.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
But keeping that up can be a tiring proposition once a Grand Slam rolls around.

— Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of tiring

Adjective

Chronically lonely employees who struggle with social confidence may need extra support, Hadley said.

— Cordilia James, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026
Even Stephen Curry, who transformed himself into an NBA all-time great through endless lonely work on his shooting, had recently asked Tiafoe the question in a casual chat.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of lonely

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dreariness

dreary

dreck

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“Dreary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreary. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dreary

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