as in somber
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
shivered with cold in the dark and funereal Victorian mansion
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Recent Examples of funereal
The mood around the JBX Talks conference this week was funereal.
—
Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 7 Mar. 2026
Losing a half-billion dollars The annual meeting of the California Canning Peach Association typically celebrates the history and future of the industry, but a funereal tone shrouded this year’s event, the 104th installment.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026
With little coming back from Spurs fans, whose outlook is on the bleak side of funereal, there is nothing for Newcastle to bounce off.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Instrumental Iranian music played from nearby speakers, adding to the funereal scene.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for funereal
Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 7 Mar. 2026
Losing a half-billion dollars The annual meeting of the California Canning Peach Association typically celebrates the history and future of the industry, but a funereal tone shrouded this year’s event, the 104th installment.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026
With little coming back from Spurs fans, whose outlook is on the bleak side of funereal, there is nothing for Newcastle to bounce off.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Instrumental Iranian music played from nearby speakers, adding to the funereal scene.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for funereal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for funereal
Adjective
-
But just beneath the surface lies a somber discussion about the most famous man in the sport, who is a long way from here.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
-
On its face, this has felt like an Easter season more in keeping with the downcast mood of Maundy Thursday, commemorating the Last Supper, followed by the betrayal and arrest of Christ, or Good Friday, a somber day of reflection marking Jesus’ death on the cross.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Scenes from some of the Robert Pearson character’s old movies are done in a 1940s Hollywood style using young actors that resemble James Dean or Robert Mitchum juxtaposed with the stark, solemn, isolated existence of the elderly Pearson.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
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Although the pope celebrates mass regularly on Sundays, feast days, and many other occasions, the Urbi et Orbi blessing is much rarer, reserved for solemn events in the church’s liturgical calendar.—
Leo XIV,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s partly because their bleak ending feels like a foregone conclusion from the start, even as Levinson’s frequently funny script crackles with comic depravity.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
-
While the subject matter is bleak, Almodóvar balances the darkness with a tenderness and sensitivity that comes from a career of exploring women's lives at their most intimate.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sam Levinson’s vision of a woman’s life is pretty depressing.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In his teaching, Weil conveyed his love for Russian literature’s very lengthy — and at times dark and depressing — novels with enthusiasm and aplomb, colleagues recalled.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sunscreen protects against sun damage, premature aging and dark spots.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Harden, 36, with his famous, protruding beard and those dark, piercing eyes, was determined to use his star power to get his way, to bring with him a slice of comfort to a new city.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Longitudinal studies report 2 to 5 times higher risk for major depressive episodes during perimenopause compared with late premenopause.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Studies have shown that giving ketamine without psychological support can reduce depressive symptoms and suicidality within hours.—
O. Rose Broderick,
STAT,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Inside Safe providers acknowledged that motel rooms can be a huge adjustment, leaving people feeling lonely and isolated.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Days can feel long and lonely after one retires.—
Cathy Bussewitz,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The field, a desolate oil patch, will eventually be the central location for what became known as the Texas Killing Fields.—
John Wayne Ferguson,
Houston Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Miller and Cook were two 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,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Funereal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funereal. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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