1
as in sad
causing unhappiness
the melancholy thought of having to say good-bye to all the friends he had made over the summer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness
they were a bit melancholy after their youngest child left for college
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3
as in thoughtful
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking
a melancholy period in the artist's life that is reflected in his work
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits
the bleakness of winter sometimes gives me cause for melancholy
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of melancholy
Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
But about two-thirds of the way through, Roofman makes a quiet, almost imperceptible shift toward melancholy.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
The result is a film that glimmers with moments of wit and melancholy but never settles into coherence.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melancholy
Adjective
First, though, as Shampoo sinks into one of his barber chairs, there is melancholy.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
But about two-thirds of the way through, Roofman makes a quiet, almost imperceptible shift toward melancholy.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Some gags land, others don’t, and the script’s sudden bursts of melancholy dependably catch you in the gut.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
The result is a film that glimmers with moments of wit and melancholy but never settles into coherence.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melancholy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melancholy
Adjective
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As Morgan and Sasha chat it up at Noah’s family’s Purim party, a sad-eyed Esther stands off to the side, quietly watching the interaction.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The footage shows Deiseroth’s demeanor teetering between sad and angry.—
David Goodhue
October 24,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Volunteers became depressed, irritable, anxious, and withdrawn.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
18 Oct. 2025
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Jeffrey Rignall died in 2000 In the wake of Gacy’s attack, Rignall became depressed and withdrawn, suffering from bouts of vomiting and losing nearly 40 pounds, per The Courier Journal.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For a thoughtful gift, package Joanna Gaines’ vanilla sugar with a bag of coffee beans, a cute mug, or a small French press to create a complete coffee kit.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
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For families who value that approach, Carruth’s books offer a thoughtful and accessible way to encourage shared reading and meaningful connection.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Regarding the Armani company, Nicolas Hieronimus, chief executive officer of L’Oréal, during a call Tuesday evening with analysts and journalists to discuss third-quarter and nine-months results reiterated sadness in the passing of Giorgio Armani, with whom the group collaborated for 40 years.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
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Keep in mind, sadness may not be the only emotion kids show.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And that’s what's so depressing.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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His college career has come to an end in a very depressing way.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Following Dombrowski’s comments and his belief that Harper is unhappy with his current contract situation, Sherman opened the door to a potential offseason trade that sends Harper elsewhere.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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People who will be sent there include those who let their poor unhappy doggies bark endlessly, those who throw trash on the beach and those who hunt exotic animals for sport.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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All colors change under different lights, but white is one of the biggest offenders due to its highly reflective quality.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Oct. 2025
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First, on darker mornings and evenings, be bright and be seen—reflective gear and a small light go a long way.—
Belal Aftab,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The connection appeared to be partly explained by higher levels of a gut bacterium called Eggerthella, a bacterium previously linked to inflammation and found in greater abundance among people with depression.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
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Often, doctors don't connect symptoms like depression or suicidal thoughts to the drug.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Melancholy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melancholy. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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