elegiac 1 of 2

adjective

ˌe-lə-ˈjī-ək How to pronounce elegiac (audio)
variants also elegiacal
Definition of elegiacnext
as in somber
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the sight of an old ruined church or castle can be a pleasantly elegiac experience

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

elegiac

2 of 2

noun

as in monody

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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 elegiac
Adjective
The elegiac opening and closing chapters, in which Crowther imagines visiting Monroe’s home and scanning her shelves, also add to the feeling that too much is being extrapolated out of not enough information. — Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026 Roversi’s elegiac style was inspired by the Byzantine architecture and cultural backdrop of his hometown as well as the work of August Sander, Robert Frank and Diane Arbus. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Noun
There’s also something a little elegiac about it. — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elegiac
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elegiac
  1. somber
  2. elegy
  3. bleak
  4. dirge
  5. solemn
  6. depressing
  7. dark
  8. depressive
Adjective
  • The actor-director continued on a more somber note, driving home the importance of free speech.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Davis was much more somber, and his attorney, Wayne Higgins, is heard frequently admonishing his client for volunteering unnecessary information.
    — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of somber
Noun
  • In some ways, Birthright is an elegy to the Jewish experience in America—a place where Israel has been centered as our refuge and rightful homeland for the last 76-odd years.
    — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But that selflessness comes to feel like the point of this lingering, resonantly sad film — above all else, an elegy for lives unseen and unknown.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 July 2026
Definition of elegy
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
Noun
  • The film’s turning point is a tragedy during a fight arranged by Frankie, making its second half more of a dirge than a sports film.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Nobody wants to be subjected to one more triggering, off-key note of an Edwin Díaz dirge.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of dirge
Adjective
  • For those seeking a solemn moment of reflection or a way to give back, here’s a guide to area events commemorating 9/11’s 25th anniversary, running from Wednesday through the weekend.
    — The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2026
  • This year, Haitians are marching under more solemn circumstances than in prior years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • Voting rights advocates argue that requirements to present birth certificates or passports in order to register to vote is a disguised effort to make voting more difficult, depressing turnout and in effect disenfranchising voters.
    — Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Climate change, depressing and overwhelming, falls into that category.
    — Peter Prengaman, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of depressing
Adjective
  • As Florian Wirtz was substituted during Liverpool’s 2-2 opening day draw at Newcastle United, the German midfielder sat on the bench, retrieved a bottle of dark red liquid, and began to drink.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In this version, the couple has moved from Chicago to London for a fresh start—bad things happened in Chicago—and the set features a wide town house with dark corners and William Morris wallpaper.
    — Anna Russell, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • The results showed that saffron had a positive effect on both, especially on mood and depressive symptoms.
    — Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs such as Celexa, Prozac and Zoloft, target a range of depressive and anxiety disorders.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of depressive

Browse Nearby Words

elegantly
elegiac
elegiacs
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Cite this Entry

“Elegiac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elegiac. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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