ELEGIACAL Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

elegiac 1 of 2

adjective

ˌe-lə-ˈjī-ək

variants also elegiacal

Definition of elegiac

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

An elegiac poem by Walt Whitman was published in newspapers around the country in July 1876. — New York Times, 28 June 2026 Despite the elegiac tone, Jill also devotes much of the book to the social side of being first lady. — Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 4 June 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

Jerusalem — Three years to the minute after the start of the deadliest single day in Israel’s history, the country marked the somber occasion with a series of ceremonies, memorials and protests at more than 400 locations.

— Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
On the one hand, Ravana’s defeat is celebrated with jubilation; on the other, the goddess Durga’s departure is marked by a somber farewell.

— Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of somber

Noun

Her works are playful and often ironic, relentlessly experimental and not only genre-bending but form-bending, including Nox (New Directions, 2010), a box containing an accordioned elegy to her estranged brother after his death.

— Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Their books are therefore, in some respects, elegies to a conception of reading and writing which seems to be nearing an end.

— Louis Menand, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of elegy

Adjective

Things looked bleak for Keller, but the Indians kept fighting.

— Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
In the exceedingly bleak ending to the book, Bela realizes that the demon has killed and styled itself after her Grandma Ruth, who lures Russell and Ursula to their death.

— William Earl, Variety, 9 Oct. 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

This production, solemn about our obligations to one another but committed to providing a good night out at the theater, is neither.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Zack Wheeler pitched a gem against Tampa Bay on Sunday and untangled a few thousand knots inside the stomachs of Phillies fans, and even from those inside a mostly solemn clubhouse.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of solemn

Adjective

There will be pockets of opportunities from these old big department stores, which are underinvested and a bit depressing to walk around.

— Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026
In the wake of a depressing 69-93 season that sputtered out from the get-go, as so many a Royals campaign does, the club promptly made some substantial changes.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of depressing

Adjective

There’s nothing about the white bedding, dark-wood furniture, and tan carpeting that will knock your socks off—but nothing that will make your toes curl, either.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Guadagnino and screenwriter Simon Rich mold the material from dark humor through technocratic giddiness to sobering horror.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of dark

Adjective

About one in three women is expected to face an anxiety or depressive disorder in their lifetimes.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
Studies that followed African American adolescents and Latino/a adolescents have found a link between experiences of discrimination and depressive symptoms that linger years later.

— Anahi Collado, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of depressive

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“Elegiac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elegiac. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of elegiac

adjective

noun

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