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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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
Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
The poster presents Advani set against a circus backdrop, balancing glamorous aesthetics with underlying emotional depth that suggests grief and melancholy beneath the surface spectacle.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Dec. 2025
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Dec. 2025
Veloso’s own work in Train Dreams skilfully uses the terrain to symbolize the melancholy of Grainier’s life.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melancholy
Adjective
The subgenre is often marked by mental health struggles, self-destructive behavior, inner turmoil, unfulfilling or otherwise lacking relationships and an overall sense of melancholy.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025
The poster presents Advani set against a circus backdrop, balancing glamorous aesthetics with underlying emotional depth that suggests grief and melancholy beneath the surface spectacle.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Dec. 2025
Noun
The poster presents Advani set against a circus backdrop, balancing glamorous aesthetics with underlying emotional depth that suggests grief and melancholy beneath the surface spectacle.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Dec. 2025
Veloso’s own work in Train Dreams skilfully uses the terrain to symbolize the melancholy of Grainier’s life.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melancholy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melancholy
Adjective
-
And when the detective handed his business card over and explained the situation, the guy was very distraught and very sad.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Thoughts about sad events stopped causing days-long spirals, and tasks that once felt insurmountable were no longer a second thought.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Countries such as the Netherlands and Canada that passed similar bills have gone on to expand this type of legislation to allow doctors to give lethal medication to the depressed and other people with mental illnesses.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Yes, our political leaders have given some of us reason to be resentful, cynical and even depressed.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Some parents carefully vetted and chose thoughtful names to add to the birth certificate, while others undoubtedly may have selected them on a whim or as a result of losing a bet.—
Cooper Worth,
Des Moines Register,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Soft, breathable materials and thoughtful construction have made the silhouette way more wearable, offering a happy medium between your comfiest sneakers and your dressiest pumps.—
Nina Derwin,
Glamour,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Emotions were on full display with many expressing sadness and frustration, not only over Wednesday's federal raid, but raids happening around the Twin Cities over the last 40 days.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The initial answer to that question is a no, according to some evangelical pastors and commentators who reacted with shock and sadness to Yancey’s confession.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In the story, there is a lot of comedy that naturally arises from tragic moments, from dark, depressing moments.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
10 Jan. 2026
-
This is par for the course, because conversations are confusing, even depressing.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This is a no-win situation because one of us will end up unhappy.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The automaker spent much of the year undoing decisions made by the previous CEO, Carlos Tavares, who resigned at the end of 2024, as stakeholders in the company — from dealers to union rank and file — were upset with him and unhappy with his leadership.—
Liam Rappleye,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
If natural light isn't sufficient, install grow lights or use reflective surfaces.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Stewart has explained the film as being designed as a reflective experience for the audience that unflinchingly shows the subconscious ways memory lives within the human body.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And while medications and therapy are important tools, Fabiano says exercise is recognized as a preferred treatment for depression.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The country legend struggled with her mental health and suffered from suicidal depression.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Melancholy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melancholy. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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