sepulchral

adjective

sə-ˈpəl-krəl How to pronounce sepulchral (audio)
Definition of sepulchralnext
as in somber
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the decrepit mansion had a sepulchral tone that gave everyone a chill

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 sepulchral One of the few women working in that era, she was known for austere and unsettling portraits in sepulchral spaces. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 May 2025 The Dead Man seems very aware of that fact and has cultivated a sepulchral image for decades and now he's revealed that his aura of intimidation extended to all of his WWE opponents. — Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025 Short and broad with sepulchral eyes, Karrenna wore a bucket hat, polo shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. — Sean Williams, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024 For the occasion, the Shed’s Griffin Theater greets guests with an antechamber cast in sepulchral light and hung with wall size images from Sakamoto’s life. — Max Lakin, New York Times, 25 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for sepulchral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sepulchral
  1. somber
  2. bleak
  3. dark
  4. solemn
  5. depressive
  6. lonely
  7. desolate
  8. depressing
Adjective
  • For the past four decades, July was always a somber month for the McDonalds, a reminder of the moment that changed their family's lives.
    — Ali Bauman, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Less than two months after her historic victory to become Japan’s first female prime minister, Takaichi Sanae stood before a bank of microphones and opposition lawmakers, looking somber.
    — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026
Definition of somber
Adjective
  • But some analysts forecast a bleak future for Democrats in the right-leaning district.
    — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The Herons' chances of advancing were already bleak after entering the match 12th in the MLS standings following their loss to Monterrey.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • In Helaena’s room, Rhaenyra finds a tapestry Helaena had just finished sewing that predicts a dark and fiery end for Rhaenyra in the future.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
  • For somewhere closer to home, check a light pollution map and head to an area that looks dark.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • Both are powerful spots of natural beauty and deep cultural significance, but for a less solemn outing, the little islet of Ojima sits neatly between the two.
    — Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
  • After seeing corrupt cops rewarded with medals and politics debase his best friend, now the courts can’t even be trusted to perform their solemn duty.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • Most women with postpartum psychosis develop manic and depressive symptoms that can come close together or overlap.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In a 2025 study of older parents, being cut off from an adult child was associated with poorer well-being and a reduced sense of purpose, as well as greater depressive symptoms.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of depressive
Adjective
  • Cycle north along the beach to Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, where hiking trails, lonely sands, picnic sites, and kayak rentals fronting a freshwater lake await.
    — Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But surviving a lightning strike is often the beginning of a long and lonely medical journey.
    — Daile Zhang, The Conversation, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of lonely
Adjective
  • The desolate landscape and little human occupation thereafter helped preserve the rock art through centuries of exposure to wind, rain, and sun.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In July 1991, Gerard Dorsey was gunned down in an alley off North Brice Street in a desolate West Baltimore alley.
    — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of desolate
Adjective
  • The simple, rather depressing, and completely overwhelming fact of the matter is that the Marvel Cinematic Universe cannot be ignored, even as superhero fatigue has definitively set in at the global box office.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • The glow through the translucent stone façade prevents that journey from being downright depressing.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026
Definition of depressing

Browse Nearby Words

septuagenarian
sepulchral
sepulchre
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sepulchral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sepulchral. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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