Thesaurus

gloomy

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

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Synonyms & Antonyms of gloomy

1 causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer

the cold rain made for a gloomy day

Synonyms for gloomy

Words Related to gloomy

Near Antonyms for gloomy

Antonyms for gloomy

2 feeling unhappiness

has been gloomy ever since the breakup with his girlfriend

Synonyms for gloomy

Words Related to gloomy

suicidal

Near Antonyms for gloomy

Antonyms for gloomy

3 being without light or without much light

that house would be less gloomy if some of the overgrown trees and shrubs were cleared away

Synonyms for gloomy

Words Related to gloomy

gray
(also grey),
leaden,
pale

Near Antonyms for gloomy

ultrabright

Antonyms for gloomy

Frequently Asked Questions About gloomy

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