variants
also elegiacal
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elegiac
David L. Ulin, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
But there’s a vital element missing from this elegiac seaside picture.
—Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026
Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elegiac
Adjective
The bulk of McCartney’s setlist consisted of Beatles songs—more than 20 of them—but the show didn’t feel like a nostalgia tour, because the effect was less sentimental and more elegiac.
—David L. Ulin, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
But there’s a vital element missing from this elegiac seaside picture.
—Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 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
Adjective
-
Adams does not stop for meaning, his early minimalist style causing the words to flow over you whether in somber reflection or the wildness of wild nights that do, indeed, stop for death.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
But the festival began on a more somber note.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
When The Last Ship, a musical that serves as an elegy to Wallsend, the hardscrabble Northern England shipyard town Sting grew up in, debuted on Broadway in 2014, the critical reception was disappointing.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
-
To say an elegy by heart/to zero our dying before birth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In Meetings, Merlin sat agitated with a folder of newspaper clippings in his lap, occasionally shedding bleak confetti.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Aug. 2025
-
On paper, business over the next few weeks looks bleak.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
After a month without alcohol sales, the taps at City Slickers are flowing once again.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
-
Patrons can follow Mexico playing South Africa on several large TVs, quaffing cold cocktails and mugs from the bar’s 40-something taps.—
Linda Zavoral,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
The site now a solemn memorial.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Dec. 2025
-
The Constitution vests the executive with the power—and indeed the solemn duty—to repel threats, protect commerce, and secure the nation against those who would do it harm.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
This is the starting point of Earth 7, Deb Olin Unferth’s stellar and sweeping science fiction novel that is part cosmic comedy and part dirge to our dying world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
This offers respite from the music ever feeling too dirge-like.—
Brendan Hay,
SPIN,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
When Aston Villa supporters reflect on the growing stature of their club, many like to compare the euphoria with the dark and depressing times of the recent past.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Following that news, the Fighting Irish decided to decline their bowl game invitation, ending a depressing finish to what had been a great all-around season.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
But the true story behind it is a dark, sad and overall pretty confusing one.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Trudeau embraced the Southern California vibes and wore a green T-shirt with black shorts and a pair of dark sunglasses.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elegiac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elegiac. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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