lugubrious

adjective

lu̇-ˈgü-brē-əs How to pronounce lugubrious (audio)
Definition of lugubriousnext
1
as in somber
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the diner's dim lighting makes eating there a particularly lugubrious experience

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning in Victorian times, people who could affect particularly lugubrious expressions were hired to march in funeral processions as professional mourners

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 lugubrious On occasion, especially as the film builds to its lugubrious finale, Mielants tries other tricks, simulating long tracking shots that seem to glide through the school and then out onto the grounds. — Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025 Some movie-goers love that sort of lugubrious, meditative filmmaking, some not so much, but either way — and to paraphrase Carly Simon — nobody does it better. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 28 June 2025 In one lugubrious sequence in which various members of Willie’s children’s generation take part in a pickleball tournament, the young men attempt to trash-talk one another. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2025 The lugubrious $190 million musical was a sad clown face on all fronts, cast into the dunk tank by critics and posting a D CinemaScore from audiences — the first comic-book title ever to earn such a low exit-poll grade. — Chris Lee, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for lugubrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lugubrious
  1. somber
  2. mournful
  3. bleak
  4. weeping
  5. depressive
  6. funeral
  7. dark
  8. heartbroken
Adjective
  • The contrast of Mariama’s experience makes Stella’s life look practically as somber and sordid as a film noir, where no one can be trusted and tragedy lurks from all sides.
    — Elena Lazic, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • This somber Australian chiller, done in an exceptionally authentic faux-doc style, follows a family trying to piece together unexplainable supernatural events in the aftermath of their daughter’s tragic, seemingly accidental death.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Definition of somber
Adjective
  • The years have only intensified Zimmerman’s mournful, hushed vocal performance, and Dream Me a Dream often plays out like a bedtime story spun by a beloved elder, accompanied by soft strings, shakers, and even a synth or two.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 19 June 2026
  • The drama can stir up nostalgia and mournful emotions, and feels personal to many.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Definition of mournful
Adjective
  • Political instability is the new normal, and the national mood is bleak.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • And into this bleak landscape marches the blue-haired angel, Gabriel.
    — Josh Fox, IndieWire, 17 July 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.
    — David Mamet, National Review, 11 Aug. 2022
  • The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.
    — Helen Shaw, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2021
Definition of weeping
Adjective
  • Unlike more overtly depressive takes on this role, Bos’ Hamlet is impetuous and sardonic, often bounding up three stairs in a single step and unspooling his words, words, words as if his mouth can’t keep up with his restless mind.
    — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), the largest and longest-running study of the menopause transition, shows women are significantly more likely to report high depressive symptoms during perimenopause than before it.
    — Dr. Sarah Berg, Time, 9 July 2026
Definition of depressive
Adjective
  • When his funeral conflicts with Lonnie’s tee time, The Hawk texts in his eulogy between holes.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
  • Details about the funeral arrangements for Nolan Wells, the teen who was found dead on July 6 after visiting Horn Island, Mississippi, have been released.
    — Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
Definition of funeral
Adjective
  • Skywatchers should find dark locations and look north, as the aurora's intensity also hinges on the solar wind's magnetic field orientation.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • And in a dark time for the world, a magnificent tournament helped make the world feel a little smaller.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • The feud shows no signs of ending, and Kate Middleton is reportedly heartbroken over it.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 18 July 2026
  • In 2017, administrators at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh were heartbroken to learn that hundreds of rare books, art prints and maps worth more than $8 million had been purloined from its rare books room.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Definition of heartbroken

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Cite this Entry

“Lugubrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lugubrious. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of lugubrious for Spanish Speakers

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