as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
historically regarded as a dreich corner of Britain, Scotland's very name comes from the Greek word for "dark"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreich
Adjective
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But the state education department questioned this week whether the picture is as bleak as Superintendent Andrae Townsel’s administration has described.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026 -
Amid the chaos under Yeltsin, a bleak frontier culture took hold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sunscreen protects against sun damage, premature aging and dark spots.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
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Harden, 36, with his famous, protruding beard and those dark, piercing eyes, was determined to use his star power to get his way, to bring with him a slice of comfort to a new city.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Knicks went on to defeat the tanking, depleted Grizzlies handily, a 130-119 win good enough to snap a depressing three-game losing streak against the Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Far from a depressing gray room located in a basement, The Bridge and its massive windows put a spotlight on the natural beauty of Hong Kong.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Inside Safe providers acknowledged that motel rooms can be a huge adjustment, leaving people feeling lonely and isolated.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
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Days can feel long and lonely after one retires.—
Cathy Bussewitz,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But just beneath the surface lies a somber discussion about the most famous man in the sport, who is a long way from here.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
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On its face, this has felt like an Easter season more in keeping with the downcast mood of Maundy Thursday, commemorating the Last Supper, followed by the betrayal and arrest of Christ, or Good Friday, a somber day of reflection marking Jesus’ death on the cross.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Longitudinal studies report 2 to 5 times higher risk for major depressive episodes during perimenopause compared with late premenopause.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Studies have shown that giving ketamine without psychological support can reduce depressive symptoms and suicidality within hours.—
O. Rose Broderick,
STAT,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The field, a desolate oil patch, will eventually be the central location for what became known as the Texas Killing Fields.—
John Wayne Ferguson,
Houston Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
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Miller and Cook were two of four young women whose bodies were found between 1984 and 1991 in a rural field off a desolate dirt road in League City, located about 28 miles (45 kilometers) southeast of Houston.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Tuesday’s game was moved from the evening to the afternoon in anticipation of cold temperatures.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
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Chu attributed the slower activity in early 2026 to high interest rates and an unusually cold winter, which kept many prospective buyers away from open houses in January and February.—
Chase Jordan
April 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Dreich.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreich. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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