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 wake itself turns out to be less funereal and more a celebration of life.
—
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
Joya had been allowed to pull the flouncy bit off her shoulders, like the singers in ABBA, but since my mother told me to keep covered, the top surrounded me sadly like a funereal wreath.
—Jhumpa Lahiri, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
The Jansson rift is captured in her Family painting, a stark portrait of her father and younger brother Per Olov in their military outfits, with the artist in funereal attire brooding over Per Olov’s chess game with youngest brother Lars.
—Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
But when did our mutual garment become so funereal?
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Joy, it is sometimes said these days, is resistance.
—David Litt, Time, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for funereal
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
Joya had been allowed to pull the flouncy bit off her shoulders, like the singers in ABBA, but since my mother told me to keep covered, the top surrounded me sadly like a funereal wreath.
—Jhumpa Lahiri, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
The Jansson rift is captured in her Family painting, a stark portrait of her father and younger brother Per Olov in their military outfits, with the artist in funereal attire brooding over Per Olov’s chess game with youngest brother Lars.
—Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
But when did our mutual garment become so funereal?
Advertisement
Joy, it is sometimes said these days, is resistance.
—David Litt, Time, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for funereal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for funereal
Adjective
-
The panel event, the subject of which was decided in late December, was a somber affair in the wake of the harsh crackdown by Iran’s Islamic Republic government on anti-government demonstrations on January 8 and 9, which has left thousands dead or detained.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Tone turns on a dime, the acting broad one minute, somber the next.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The holy month of Ramadan began today for Muslims, and Ash Wednesday marks the start of the solemn Christian season of Lent.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Later that day, Jackson stood once again on the Lorraine Motel balcony at the National Civil Rights Museum during its annual commemoration, sitting in the front row as nearly 500 people gathered for music, speeches and a solemn wreath‑laying ceremony honoring King’s life.—
Diana Leyva,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The economy was looking bleak, Retter said.—
Sophie Hartley,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Chelsea 2-0 Burnley West Ham vs Bournemouth Quietly, from what looked like a bleak position five weeks ago, West Ham have given themselves a fighting chance of Premier League survival.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That simple scenario is a lot less depressing.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
These could become depressing, as well as confusing.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At the center of the space will be a central bar wrapped in wood paneling and leather accents, topped with dark stone, according to the release.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
February 17,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The shoes accompanied a silky black midi skirt, a simple gray sweater, a thick dark turquoise belt and a long furry gray coat worn off her shoulders.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The fear alone sent Rzeznik down a depressive spiral of writer’s block, a move to New York City, and a separation from his wife.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
14 Feb. 2026
-
While menopausal depression can be temporary, there is also risk of developing a depressive disorder during perimenopause and menopause.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Biographers invariably describe Jackson as feeling lonely and different as a child.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Being in the entertainment industry can feel really lonely.—
Cierra Black,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While Scarry’s books present such catastrophes with bright colors and good humor, Gomez undermines this cheer by superimposing on the mural a nearly all-black painting of a desolate tent encampment in front of a home destroyed by the Eaton fire.—
Sharon Mizota,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The clash of beauty and filth is well suited for Brontë’s desolate tale of romance in a tempestuous climate, where Cathy is constantly caught between Victorian propriety and her baser, wilder nature.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Funereal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funereal. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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