gloominess 1 of 2

gloomy

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adjective

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as in sad
feeling unhappiness has been gloomy ever since the breakup with his girlfriend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gloomy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gloomy are bleak, cheerless, desolate, dismal, and dreary. While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise.

gloomy war news

When might bleak be a better fit than gloomy?

While in some cases nearly identical to gloomy, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten.

the bleak years of the depression

When would cheerless be a good substitute for gloomy?

In some situations, the words cheerless and gloomy are roughly equivalent. However, cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering.

a drab and cheerless office

When is desolate a more appropriate choice than gloomy?

The meanings of desolate and gloomy largely overlap; however, desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect.

a desolate outpost

When can dismal be used instead of gloomy?

While the synonyms dismal and gloomy are close in meaning, dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess.

dismal weather

Where would dreary be a reasonable alternative to gloomy?

The words dreary and gloomy can be used in similar contexts, but dreary, often interchangeable with dismal, emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility.

a dreary job

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 gloominess
Adjective
Several have issued gloomy quarterly results and pulled annual forecasts, due to economic uncertainty. Savyata Mishra, USA Today, 20 May 2025 Recent surveys indicate that German manufacturers are pulling back from investing in the United States, and those that already have a footprint there are more gloomy about their futures. Melissa Eddy, New York Times, 13 May 2025 The other China — gloomy China — tells a different story: sluggish consumer spending, rising unemployment, a chronic housing crisis and a business community bracing for the impact of the trade war. Li Yuan, New York Times, 13 May 2025 In recent months, the council’s budget committee has been hearing increasingly gloomy assessments of the city’s tourism and aviation industries. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for gloominess
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloominess
Adjective
  • At the same time, others who attended this year’s California Democratic Party Convention dismissed any notion that the future of the Democratic Party is bleak.
    Linh Tat, Oc Register, 31 May 2025
  • The early options on the GOP side are bleak: Neither Donalds nor Casey DeSantis, the governor’s wife who’s said to be interested in succeeding him, is the moderate Florida so desperately needs now.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • My back hurt from that sad excuse for a chair (seriously, who designs dining chairs to feel like medieval torture devices?).
    Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • Stewart is still thanked by gay fans by creating such a rare, highly visible (albeit sad) representation.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • The drug is believed to create more connections between brain cells, a process thought to ease depression and decrease suicidal thoughts, according to Mayo Clinic.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
  • The Pennsylvania Democrat was elected to his seat in November 2022, months after suffering a stroke, and later was checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment for depression in early 2023.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • Plus, the combination of the stone fireplace and the dark wood cabinets and shelves flanking it contributed to the overall impression of a somber, too-serious space.
    Meghan Holloran, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2025
  • Trump will participate in the traditional wreath-laying ceremony and speak at the cemetery’s amphitheater, in what has been a somber occasion for U.S. presidents.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Reports suggested that Daltrey was unhappy with Starkey’s playing on the night, and a number of songs were cut short.
    Thomas Smith, Billboard, 29 May 2025
  • Netflix In a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, Ortega revealed that the massive success following 'Wednesday' actually left her unhappy.
    Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • With their golden yellow rays surrounding a dark cone, Rudbeckias are quintessential summer blooms.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 22 May 2025
  • Related Stories All About Jalen Brunson's Parents, Sandra and Rick Brunson See Photos of Timothée Chalamet, Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal and More On May 16, Chalamet wore a Chrome Hearts tracksuit in a dark navy blue.
    Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • At the opposite end of the court, a thick layer of melancholy was present.
    Kelly Iko, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • The far-reaching melancholy of musical theater has always been front and center in McAlpine’s work, which layers a lyricism of desire on top of string-heavy indie-pop arrangements.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • The mortality rates of small indie presses and literary journals are a depressing feature of our cultural landscape.
    Michael Washburn, National Review, 25 May 2025
  • Despite there being ample intrigue and mystery around what happened to Peter's first wife, the truth is pretty depressing.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gloominess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloominess. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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