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
Relevance
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
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
Wolverine Blues saw Swedish death-metal pioneers Entombed slowing down and adding a rock and roll swagger to their grisly, sepulchral sound, and in the process realizing some of their most memorable material.
—Hank Shteamer, SPIN, 24 Jan. 2023
The lighting is sepulchral, the air dank.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2020
See All Example Sentences for sepulchral
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
Wolverine Blues saw Swedish death-metal pioneers Entombed slowing down and adding a rock and roll swagger to their grisly, sepulchral sound, and in the process realizing some of their most memorable material.
—Hank Shteamer, SPIN, 24 Jan. 2023
The lighting is sepulchral, the air dank.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2020
See All Example Sentences for sepulchral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sepulchral
Adjective
-
The panel event, the subject of which was decided in late December, was a somber affair in the wake of the harsh crackdown by Iran’s Islamic Republic government on anti-government demonstrations on January 8 and 9, which has left thousands dead or detained.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Tone turns on a dime, the acting broad one minute, somber the next.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The economy was looking bleak, Retter said.—
Sophie Hartley,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Chelsea 2-0 Burnley West Ham vs Bournemouth Quietly, from what looked like a bleak position five weeks ago, West Ham have given themselves a fighting chance of Premier League survival.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Both teams wore their dark jerseys for the 266th meeting between the teams and UCLA improved to 150-116 in a series dating to 1928 when UCLA joined the Pacific Coast Conference.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
-
In all, eight of the 28 shows lost a performance (many productions are dark on Sunday nights anyway), and most took significant box office blows.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The holy month of Ramadan began today for Muslims, and Ash Wednesday marks the start of the solemn Christian season of Lent.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Later that day, Jackson stood once again on the Lorraine Motel balcony at the National Civil Rights Museum during its annual commemoration, sitting in the front row as nearly 500 people gathered for music, speeches and a solemn wreath‑laying ceremony honoring King’s life.—
Diana Leyva,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This can trigger depressive symptoms or worsen pre-existing symptoms for some women.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The fear alone sent Rzeznik down a depressive spiral of writer’s block, a move to New York City, and a separation from his wife.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
With his big eyes and expressive face, Punch is basically a fuzzy baby, and who doesn’t feel bad for a lonely, fuzzy baby?—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
23 Feb. 2026
-
That’s true of the protagonist, a lonely boy who longs to leave Earth, and of the film itself.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The gang pulls up to a desolate area, finding Albert's most recent car there.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The project takes place deep in the desolate wilderness where a crumbling castle stands with a mysterious presence lurking within.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That simple scenario is a lot less depressing.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
-
These could become depressing, as well as confusing.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sepulchral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sepulchral. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
