melancholy 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of melancholynext
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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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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melancholy

2 of 2

noun

ˈme-lən-ˌkä-lē How to pronounce melancholy (audio)
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 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 melancholy
Adjective
There is romance and melancholy, playfulness and despair, all happening at once. — Photovogue, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026 Because of the melancholy atmosphere and the fact that nothing was being accomplished, all were sent home. — Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
Lines that seem artlessly off-the-cuff on first pass accrue an unexpected weight and purpose the fourth time through; the countrified guitar lick that sounds so chipper at the start of a song is dripping with melancholy by the end. — Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 4 June 2026 Early Years Eichenberg recounted his childhood with some melancholy. — Jessica George, JSTOR Daily, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for melancholy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melancholy
  1. sad
  2. depressed
  3. thoughtful
  4. sadness
  5. depressing
  6. unhappy
  7. reflective
  8. depression
Adjective
  • Spark, a writer of the first rank, brought her beautifully to life in this moving, rather sad novel of Edinburgh in the 1930s.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
  • And yet the allegation against her now enters Orange County’s long, sad spectrum of anti-Mexican political history.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of sad
Adjective
  • In other words, support for white nationalism was higher among people living in more distressed or economically depressed places.
    — James Bisbee, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
  • My idea of Sweden was based entirely on Scandi-noir dramas, all bleak landscapes, depressed people and woolly jumpers.
    — Natasha Langan, TheWeek, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of depressed
Adjective
  • The service Enthusiastic, thoughtful, and caring, the service here is warm and heartfelt.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • As Toby Ziegler and Josiah Bartlett could tell you, the only way to change is the world is with a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Noun
  • Beat shows how so many of the sounds that were prevalent in the mid-’90s contained a unique, end-of-the century sadness.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
  • People can experience grief, sadness, relief, conflict or combinations of these emotions after any pregnancy outcome.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of sadness
Adjective
  • There will be pockets of opportunities from these old big department stores, which are underinvested and a bit depressing to walk around.
    — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In the wake of a depressing 69-93 season that sputtered out from the get-go, as so many a Royals campaign does, the club promptly made some substantial changes.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of depressing
Adjective
  • Its success made Cohn a rich, if unhappy, man, at least for a long while.
    — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026
  • What appeared to be a fairly normal election for a president halfway through his term — a probable setback, as unhappy voters register their discontent — has the potential, Cook said, to turn into a disaster for Republicans.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • Mercury in your sign opposes Chiron in your partnership zone, making close relationships unusually reflective today.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Advice still needs to be reflective of the client’s data, commercial objectives, sector conditions and risk appetite.
    — Bas Kniphorst, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of reflective
Noun
  • In April 2022, Wynonna and Ashley’s mother, Naomi Judd, died by suicide at 76 after a lifelong battle with depression.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The drug has been associated in recent years with high-profile figures such as Elon Musk, who said it was prescribed to him to treat depression.
    — Violet Jira, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of depression

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Cite this Entry

“Melancholy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melancholy. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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