Definition of gloomynext
1
2
as in sad
feeling unhappiness has been gloomy ever since the breakup with his girlfriend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

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 gloomy Still, if global leaders can find an end to the war soon, the economy again is expected to skirt the gloomiest predictions. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026 Its home screen’s hourly forecast consists of temperatures, weather icons, and illustrative background visuals, such as gloomy rain clouds, that sometimes fail to match the view out the window. Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026 College graduates are especially gloomy Job pessimism is especially pronounced among college graduates. Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026 What's behind the gloomy mindset? Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gloomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloomy
Adjective
  • That’s partly because their bleak ending feels like a foregone conclusion from the start, even as Levinson’s frequently funny script crackles with comic depravity.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
  • While the subject matter is bleak, Almodóvar balances the darkness with a tenderness and sensitivity that comes from a career of exploring women's lives at their most intimate.
    Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • And there is a beautiful human element to it that is kind of, at its core, a little sad.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The vlogger Jordan Cheyenne, for one, wrecked her sharenting career by accidentally posting footage of herself coaching her son, who was distraught over the family’s sick puppy, to make a specific kind of sad face for YouTube.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
  • As scientists often find darkened teeth in ancient burials, other factors can contribute to a black appearance, notably the chewing of betel leaves.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But just beneath the surface lies a somber discussion about the most famous man in the sport, who is a long way from here.
    Don Riddell, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
  • On its face, this has felt like an Easter season more in keeping with the downcast mood of Maundy Thursday, commemorating the Last Supper, followed by the betrayal and arrest of Christ, or Good Friday, a somber day of reflection marking Jesus’ death on the cross.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Auriemma was apparently unhappy with the officiating in the game and the disparity in free throw shooting.
    Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Despite the changes, some in the Senate were still unhappy with the final iteration.
    Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Sunscreen protects against sun damage, premature aging and dark spots.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Harden, 36, with his famous, protruding beard and those dark, piercing eyes, was determined to use his star power to get his way, to bring with him a slice of comfort to a new city.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Sam Levinson’s vision of a woman’s life is pretty depressing.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
  • In his teaching, Weil conveyed his love for Russian literature’s very lengthy — and at times dark and depressing — novels with enthusiasm and aplomb, colleagues recalled.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Single bunnies can be lonely and depressed.
    City News Service, Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
  • There was also research, which Meta eventually halted, implying that people who curbed their use of Facebook became less depressed and anxious.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gloomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloomy. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on gloomy

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster