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
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
But the Robert Redford prone to elegiac meditations on the human condition is well-evoked here.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Shot in black-and-white, the resulting photos have an elegiac quality and suggest the eventual mortality of any innovation or craze—ashes to ashes, rack-and-pinion steering to rack-and-pinion steering.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
But the Robert Redford prone to elegiac meditations on the human condition is well-evoked here.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Shot in black-and-white, the resulting photos have an elegiac quality and suggest the eventual mortality of any innovation or craze—ashes to ashes, rack-and-pinion steering to rack-and-pinion steering.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elegiac
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elegiac
Adjective
-
There’s a somber scene in a new documentary about Patrick Kelly, where executive producers Jess Manning and Ray Cornelius are at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center, about to dive into research about the late fashion designer.—
Bianca Betancourt,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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But after seven episodes wearing down the viewer with a bleak perspective, in the season finale, Euphoria pulls itself out of its own somber patterns to reach for grace and mercy in Christian symbolism, American wholesomeness, and the concept of family.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
1 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
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Tom Sturridge, Rebecca Hall, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and newcomer Luther Ford co-star in this elegy defiantly tethered to life.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
This year, though, is things are looking bleak.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
Charli and preeminent pop divas Olivia Rodrigo and Ariana Grande are releasing some of the bleakest music of their careers just in time for summer, the traditional season for party anthems and celebratory bangers.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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 once-rising developer’s solemn promise is not likely to be fulfilled if court records in his federal criminal case and a parallel Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit are any indication.—
Jay Weaver
June 6,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
-
What was once an event with great ceremony, solemn prayers and patriotic songs this year lasted fewer than 20 minutes before some 40 people.—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
This offers respite from the music ever feeling too dirge-like.—
Brendan Hay,
SPIN,
1 May 2026
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The pioneering alt-country band returns with its first album in 30 years—a set of cryptic, languid dirges that feels defiantly out-of-time.—
Zach Schonfeld,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Almost a year out to sea is very depressing.—
Steve Walsh,
NPR,
23 May 2026
-
Some sendoffs are mundane; others are downright depressing.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
Its dark terrain is constantly changing due to lava flows from Kilauea or Mauna Loa – two of the most active volcanoes in the world, according to the National Park Service website.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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Some find the last scene ambiguous, multivalent; some dark; others comic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elegiac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elegiac. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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