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
  • 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
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
  • 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
Adjective
  • There are concerted efforts to ban such devices, but they are still used with depressing frequency.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Sunday’s 31-24 loss to Cincinnati – the latest miserable day during this depressing season - crystallized several issues that general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley must navigate in the days and weeks ahead.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of depressing
Adjective
  • Nordic drama is still often associated internationally with crime, darker tones and a certain visual restraint.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Campaign images show close-fitting cycling jerseys paired with dark shorts, with prints ranging from yellow-green graphics to blue-and-white patterns.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 13 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
Adjective
  • An ever-lonelier minority of skeptics argue that AI’s rise may seem unusually fast but is in fact following a centuries-old script.
    — RUCHIR SHARMA, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, Dodger Nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of lonely
Adjective
  • As filmmakers, they were drawn to the unexpected beauty of the desolate, postindustrial landscape.
    — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Obscenities, the referee’s whistle, and the thud of boots into balls—and sometimes shins—easily carry across these desolate fields.
    — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of desolate

Browse Nearby Words

funerals
funereal
fungible
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Cite this Entry

“Funereal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/funereal. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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