GLOOM Synonyms: 197 Similar and Opposite Words

gloom 1 of 2

noun

Definition of gloom

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

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

gloom

2 of 2

verb

ˈglüm

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

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

Noun

But here’s an umbrella; a reminder to shield yourself from any stormy preseason forecasts and doom and gloom about the upcoming season. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2026 There is a tendency for gloom to descend when thinking about Europe’s economic and business prospects. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Verb

Their allusion to the night refers not to gloom but to evening intimacies, the pianist and scholar Kenneth Hamilton said in an interview. — New York Times, 13 Aug. 2021 The more doom and gloom the policy makers incorporate into their scenarios before setting market prices and rules, the safer the grid can be. — Jinjoo Lee, WSJ, 26 Feb. 2021 See All Example Sentences for gloom

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloom

Noun

Postpartum depression can be anxiousness or sadness, tearfulness, difficulty sleeping.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
The sadness comes from reflecting on how those founders used their newly independent government and military might against Indigenous people.

— Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of sadness

Verb

There was one glaring error that allowed the pass rush to get to Osborne and affect his throw, which landed in the arms of a linebacker in the middle of the field for his first interception of the year.

— Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026
The duo's defiance paved the way for a resolution to condemn socialism, a key election-year messaging bill for the GOP that drew glaring defections among Democrats, many of whom were incensed at the turn of events.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of glare

Verb

Some woods are very photosensitive, like cherry and walnut, but cherry darkens with sun exposure while walnut fades.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2026
China’s growth target is already its lowest since 1991, and the economic picture is darkened further by a real estate downturn that is straining local government finances and undercutting spending capacity, Goldman Sachs said in a note to clients.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of darken

Noun

The work is meant to address the 3- to 6-inch-deep depression on Pocket Road, city spokesperson Carlos Eliason said.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Perpetrators target underage girls, typically between the ages of 10 and 17 years old, often preying on minors already struggling with mental health issues such as depression and suicidal ideation, according to the FBI.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of depression

Noun

To be fair, Snyder, who’s also credited as the film’s cinematographer, captures no shortage of admittedly stirring images throughout, especially those involving flickering light and brooding shadows.

— Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Bluesign is stepping out from the supply chain shadows and into the world of consumers.

— Jessica Binns, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of shadows

Verb

Suzanne, the sulky, artistic type, scowls and pointedly ignores their noisy energy.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
That is one of the tantalizing questions bubbling up in A Talent for Murder, in which Helen Mirren embodies Highsmith in all her devious, scowling genius.

— Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of scowl

Noun

On the one hand, there’s a fascination with collective joy and the forms of vernacular invention that aspire to it; on the other, there’s an underlying melancholy that points to the inevitability of isolation, an epistemology of loneliness.

— Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Beneath all the sensuality and beauty, there’s also a lingering melancholy that feels very familiar to me.

— Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 16 June 2026

Definition of melancholy

Browse Nearby Words

gloms

gloom

gloomed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gloom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloom. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of gloom

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

volition

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes