funereal

adjective

fyu̇-ˈnir-ē-əl How to pronounce funereal (audio)
Definition of funerealnext
as in somber
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer shivered with cold in the dark and funereal Victorian mansion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 funereal The proceedings were clinical in nature, funereal in spirit and took all of 30 minutes. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026 Indeed, the only black-and-white to be found here is on David Zinn’s thought-provoking set, which washes the abodes of the younger characters in funereal black right down to Suzanna’s hotel bed. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026 The photograph feels funereal but rich, somehow—evocative of the days when Edith Wharton’s troubled characters tried to hide from others’ eyes, while the carriage horses clopped along, each step as heavy as destiny. — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026 The album opens with droning, distorted guitars, a funereal chug enlivened by unexpectedly gargantuan drums. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for funereal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for funereal
  1. somber
  2. solemn
  3. bleak
  4. depressing
  5. dark
  6. depressive
  7. lonely
  8. desolate
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
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
  • 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
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
Adjective
  • Borrego Springs This lonely San Diego County desert town, about 50 miles from the nearest Starbucks, deserves the attention of anyone who really wants peace and quiet.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • But this double lonely-hearts scenario is too sodden and limiting.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of lonely
Adjective
  • Miller was one 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, 3 Sep. 2026
  • To understand what a transitive graph is, imagine the graph as a network of roads on a flat, desolate landscape.
    — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of desolate

Browse Nearby Words

funerals
funereal
fungible
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Funereal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funereal. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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