1
as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits
has been in a perpetual gloom since his dog died
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dark
a time or place of little or no light
the gloom of a rainy night is the perfect setting for a mystery story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to glare
to look with anger or disapproval
we just sat there, glooming, as we waited and waited for our dinners to arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to darken
to take on a gloomy or forbidding look
he continued to gloom over the fact that he had been passed over for promotion to district manager
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 gloom
EW.com, 27 June 2025
For all the gloom around the industry, one form of entertainment production in Hollywood is going gangbusters right now: short-form theater.
—Allen Salkin, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
Emiko Jozuka, CNN, 5 Oct. 2022
Our imperviousness to gloom is our own peculiar virtue.
—Murr Brewster, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for gloom
Noun
There was just one happy ending amidst all this doom and gloom, as Sae-byeok (Hoyeon) got her wish from beyond the grave.
—EW.com, 27 June 2025
For all the gloom around the industry, one form of entertainment production in Hollywood is going gangbusters right now: short-form theater.
—Allen Salkin, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
Verb
But, there is still gloom ahead for economies in the region.
—Emiko Jozuka, CNN, 5 Oct. 2022
Our imperviousness to gloom is our own peculiar virtue.
—Murr Brewster, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for gloom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloom
Noun
-
So the show and now the play is kind of like, maybe a dark PG-13, like an 80s PG-13.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
1 July 2025
-
Though most body mists tend to be perfect for day wear, this could easily work after dark too.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Just as the Rockies were assembling a roster that produced consecutive playoff berths for the first time in franchise history in 2017 and ’18, the club had three glaring misses in the draft.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
12 July 2025
-
President Trump on Friday surveyed the devastation from the catastrophic July 4 flooding in Texas as the death toll rose and questions swirled over glaring failures in the disaster preparedness plans.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
The glasses feature a 12MP stabilized camera, five mics, dual speakers, and electrochromic lenses that darken on demand.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
But just as Covid restrictions were lifted, and people began again to mingle again in public, the general social atmosphere seemed to darken.—
Thomas Cangelosi,
Hartford Courant,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
This projection was so oft repeated in the media that many Americans, especially Democrats, believed a depression was imminent.—
E.J. Antoni,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
-
Later that day, Barry made landfall near the city of Tampico, on Mexico’s east coast, and weakened to a tropical depression.—
Elizabeth Kolbert,
New Yorker,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
It’s described as a long, blank and expressionless stare in a variety of social situations.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Vortex Media has all rights in Canada to the film staring Maren Heary (She Said), Jim Kaplan (The Holdovers), Karsen Liotta (Black Bird), Dominic Bogart (Fear The Walking Dead), Emily Hall (Wrong Numbers) and Tenley Kellogg.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
And, in most instances, these days the desperate clamor to sole star-shining is often frowned upon and decidedly outdated.—
Paige Francis,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
But a lot of people frown on this behavior, viewing it as cutting in line.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Only two divorcees responded with anything remotely reminiscent of misty-eyed melancholy.—
Hannah Pittard,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
But the title track from his 1969 LP — a platinum-seller enshrined in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry — is perhaps his most impressive harmonic achievement, with a key change in the verse that lends a touch of melancholy to the song’s message of protest.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
Mercury and Venus are partially shrouded in darkness, and Mars’ characteristic red hue is on full display.—
Carlyn Kranking,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
-
That’s how Tim Burton described the key combatants in his 1989 blockbuster, which created the template for the modern superhero film — one in which darkness, vivid production design, and moody characters would reign supreme.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gloom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloom. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share