Definition of melancholicnext
as in sad
feeling unhappiness she becomes quite melancholic when she reflects on all the lost opportunities of her life

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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 melancholic Sonically, the track (produced and composed by Gavilan) is a melancholic grassroots folk song accompanied by weeping guitar riffs and a heart-pounding cajón. Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026 Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy. Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2026 Despite his impassive eyes, balding pate, and slit of a smile, Robert Duvall could be volcanic and melancholic, mysterious and straightforward, vengeful and merciful. Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026 The making of such a film would look a lot like the funny, tenderly melancholic, and wonderful Candidates of Death. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for melancholic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melancholic
Adjective
  • The failure of so many in the political world to speak up displays a sad and growing moral bankruptcy.
    Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2026
  • Don’t be sad — this is not a farewell forever.
    Denni Hu, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • Christophe is the spry, imaginative middle child to a stern farmer dad in an economically depressed countryside.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 19 May 2026
  • Postpartum depression, per Mayo Clinic, includes symptoms such as depressed mood, difficulty bonding with your baby, changes in appetite, intense irritability and more.
    Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Adjective
  • With the Mets taking a 2-1 lead, Rodón, clearly unhappy, appeared to curse at himself as Austin Wells patted him on the shoulder.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 17 May 2026
  • Janet reportedly attended an early private screening of the rough cut of the film and walked away pretty unhappy.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • He can be wounded and sensitive (as in In the Mood for Love), mysterious and melancholy (as in Wong’s 2046), or slick and savage (as in Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution).
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 May 2026
  • Certain Regard strand in 2016, or his melancholy, elegantly structured exploration of grief, Love Life, a Venice competitor from 2022.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • At the center of the story is Juan Faura, played by an impressive Iván Pellicer, a disillusioned and heartbroken young man apparently eager to die in combat.
    Ed Meza, Variety, 16 May 2026
  • Fans of Neese’s are heartbroken.
    Molly Burford, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • That being said, the brand of football has been miserable.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • Eidinger brings sorely needed spark to these miserable proceedings; his profile of sociopathic villainy is, unfortunately or not, the most electric aspect of the film.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Adjective
  • The song closes with a coda of saz and mandolin, mournful and hopeful in equal measure.
    Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026
  • The plaintive melodies are mournful yet comforting.
    Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • West Ham showed themselves to be a bad team, less than the sum of their parts and wholly ill-equipped for the challenge in front of them.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 18 May 2026
  • Each reiteration and exaggeration of Mary’s bad behavior is another civic stroke of the chisel that perfects the monumental Lincoln in our collective imagination.
    Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Melancholic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melancholic. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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