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
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Recent Examples of melancholy
Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 12 Feb. 2026
Not with breaking transfer news but with an umpteenth text asking what was up and, with more melancholy, why more wasn’t up and why everyone was being so frugal.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
But that description actually undersells the pervasive melancholy of Craig Brewer’s new musical drama, based on the 2008 documentary of the same name, in which Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson play Mike and Claire Sardina, the duo behind the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melancholy
Adjective
In spite of the depressing subject matter, this Wuthering Heights is more camp than melancholy.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 12 Feb. 2026
Not with breaking transfer news but with an umpteenth text asking what was up and, with more melancholy, why more wasn’t up and why everyone was being so frugal.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
The characters embody universal human emotions like melancholy, vulnerability and solidarity.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
But that description actually undersells the pervasive melancholy of Craig Brewer’s new musical drama, based on the 2008 documentary of the same name, in which Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson play Mike and Claire Sardina, the duo behind the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melancholy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melancholy
Adjective
-
Mendy Rendler, a longtime congregant, described the scene as a sad reminder that the congregation is displaced and not allowed to make repairs.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Oooooofff, that is sad, my heart is breaking!—
Christina Grace Tucker,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Rent to pay Wongchingchai started to worry about the longevity of Thai Soon in 2025, when inflated ingredient prices, depressed sales, looming tax fees and lingering COVID-19 woes pushed her to borrow money from her uncle, her mom and her friends.—
Sarah Blaskovich,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Her skull would incurred permanent damage, as it would have been distorted or depressed on the right side, as per the press release, which affected her appearance.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The rooms All eight rooms are distinct, but feature thoughtful luxuries throughout—Matouk linens, smart TVs, and minibars stocked with wellness shots and facial masks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Kayce is an amazing character, but Luke is really thoughtful and smart.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her wedge of baked Alaska slouched on the plate like a children’s book illustration meant to convey sadness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
-
In my experience, sadness and melancholy exist side by side with happiness and joy.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
One day, one of the less depressing reminders of said past comes knocking in the form of an old Navy SEAL buddy, Calvin (Logan Marshall-Green, who’s evolved from Tom Hardy clone to Jon Bernthal lookalike).—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
-
But Funt’s writing about sports gambling’s ‘winners’ is almost as depressing as the look at its losers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
With price pressures still bubbling in ways that have made consumers unhappy about affordability, economists are closely monitoring the impact of higher energy prices.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Unions, which were unhappy with the prospect of any industry consolidation may give Paramount a hard time and may not want to play ball.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Tom Bonds would once go to Empower Field and hear boos rain down from the Broncos’ own fanbase — boos Bonds couldn’t help but think were reflective of Paton, given his seat at the table.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Organizers noted the outdoor setting would make the space accessible and reflective for residents and visitors alike.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In Aidarov’s spiral, bodily imprints from hundreds of thousands of migrant workers layer upon one another, the faint depressions of exhausted sleep compressed into a monument that cannot move.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
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The 1893 silver crash and the following regional depression left the area in decline, turning it into skid row with brothels, speakeasies, pawn shops and widespread crime.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Melancholy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melancholy. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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