MIRTHLESS Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

mirthless

adjective

Definition of mirthless

as in woebegone

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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 mirthless One thing the record makes clear is that Anderson is not afraid to mix humor into her work, proving that avant-garde performance mustn’t be mirthless or without joy. — David Harris, SPIN, 11 May 2026 Historically, autocrats are a mirthless bunch. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025 Splashes of elegance in gravestone carving appear as the mirthless old Puritans die, people get richer, and London goes royal. — Brian T. Allen, National Review, 19 July 2025 Yet there was a mirthless response from those around him; a realisation there was an element of truth to his chant. — Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024 His mirthless laugh might have suggested Kafkaesque persecution, or Hardyesque inexorability of fate. — Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mirthless

Adjective

Brewer was hired two years ago after more than a decade as head coach at perennial power Georgia, part of a commitment by the school and a motivated (and wealthy) alumni group willing to pump resources into a woebegone golf program.

— Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
After three seasons of almost nothing but dread and sorrow, the NBA’s most woebegone franchise, for generations, finally had a moment to celebrate.

— David Aldridge, New York Times, 11 May 2026

Definition of woebegone

Adjective

The storm let up before daybreak, but the morning was gray and cheerless with a cold wind.

— Elwyn "Bud" Myers, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Gomez gestured across the street toward 100 Centre Street—the criminal courthouse, a cheerless Art Deco building the color of cinder blocks.

— Sarah Lustbader, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025

Definition of cheerless

Adjective

However — here is the gold dust — the perfect blend is gay AND sad.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Top Plays from Broncos @ Chiefs Perhaps the only solace for the Broncos after a season of sky-high expectations opened with a flop is those sorts of sad adjectives belonged to everyone.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

Alongside Paul Mescal and one Joe Alwyn, this most lugubrious of WhatsApp group chats is supposedly the inspiration behind Swift’s album, The Tortured Poets Department.

— Ben Jureidini, Vanity Fair, 15 Aug. 2026
Reaction has been predictably lugubrious, although laced with gratitude and occasional humor.

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 19 June 2026

Definition of lugubrious

Adjective

And viewers’ mileage will certainly vary with this peculiar, fun little concoction on seclusion, connection and the need to belong that can’t hide its undercurrent of melancholy about the sorry state of a divided world.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026
Roderick In Poe’s famous short story The Fall of the House of Usher, Roderick Usher is a melancholy recluse who believes his haunted mansion is the cause of his deteriorating health.

— Anna Earl, Parents, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of melancholy

Adjective

But the sympathy in his voice keeps things from becoming too morose.

— Brendan Hay, SPIN, 24 Aug. 2026
The first leg will be the ever-popular third-place playoff, in which a couple of morose losers compete for no trophy at all and a chance to show off the superior sourness of their grapes.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Definition of morose

Adjective

There are melancholic elements, including human characters that can seem lost in their thoughts — impassive and detached from the world.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
This is probably a race between Hacks and Widow’s Bay, but spare some support for Shrinking, TV’s best melancholic comedy.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of melancholic

Adjective

In Brand New Day, Peter resumes his duties as a friendly neighborhood superhero in New York City, but also remains dejected that MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon) are moving on with their lives without any memory of his love and friendship.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
The sea of yellow applauding the efforts of the dejected Brazilian players who milled about, seemingly unwilling to accept that a match that took so long to really get going was over so quickly.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of dejected

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mirthfulness

mirthless

mirthlessly

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“Mirthless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mirthless. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mirthless

adjective

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