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
This summer seems no different, other than being sandwiched between her aging parents and grown children, and the rage and melancholy that comes with menopause. — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026 But for all the singing and dancing at the little birthday bash, this is a melancholy occasion as well because Mariama will have to make her own way in Cyprus now with scant assistance from the state. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
Noun
The specific kind of melancholy that only exists between Halloween and the first real snow. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026 Fanning’s name was the first called when nominations were announced, signaling that Scandinavian melancholy would be notably absent that morning. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 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
  • Bao and Dani also get some votes, but Yangyang and Octavius get none, which is sad.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2026
  • But that selflessness comes to feel like the point of this lingering, resonantly sad film — above all else, an elegy for lives unseen and unknown.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 July 2026
Definition of sad
Adjective
  • The rest were overseas — many of them belonging to impoverished locals living in conflict zones or economically depressed regions where other employment options are scarce.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • The adviser told me that, even without drastically expanding the budget or upending the financial markets, Burnham could borrow a bit more to finance public-infrastructure investments and channel money to depressed regions.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of depressed
Adjective
  • Rather than rushing from port to port, Explora Journeys was designed around the idea that luxury is measured by space, time, and thoughtful experiences.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 24 July 2026
  • Each chamber in the intimate inn has its own character, and pairs thoughtful amenities with tech-forward convenience.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 July 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Noun
  • Each new body part is tinged with a bit of pleasure, pushing up against the edges of my sadness and embracing it chummily.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • The Hole Truth And Nothing Butt, telling the story of these Texan wildmen and their real-life moments of brilliance and hilarity, with revelations of profound sadness.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 20 July 2026
Definition of sadness
Adjective
  • The song arrives alongside a cinematic, albeit somewhat depressing, video directed by Mikai Karl and starring distinctive French character actor Denis Lavant (Beau Travail, Mauvais Sang).
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 15 July 2026
  • In addition to which, the Moon is lined up with stern Saturn, which can be depressing.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 July 2026
Definition of depressing
Adjective
  • Despite the peace and goodwill following the Hundred Year War, Aang is unhappy and lonesome.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Was this about one of you being really unhappy with the streaming culture of people skipping opening credits?
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 23 July 2026
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • Silbiger’s portfolio is a reflective combination of classic American motifs like Saguaro cacti and herds of bison, and odd roadside attractions like the inflatable Maine lobster.
    — Sarah Silbiger, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The students get permission from the schools to draw on the blackboards in advance, reflective of Japan’s conformist orderly culture.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Definition of reflective
Noun
  • Yet, despite the dwindling popularity of both alcohol and cigarettes, various cancers, not to mention other serious conditions like diabetes and depression, have all been on the rise—again, especially in young people.
    — Tim Brinkhof, Time, 23 July 2026
  • The stress that police officers experience is associated with higher rates of divorce, alcohol abuse, heart disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
    — Meg Anderson, NPR, 23 July 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 26 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of melancholy for Spanish Speakers

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