variants
or sombre
1
as in darkened
being without light or without much light
the prison's somber interrogation room has the desired effect of striking fear and despair into the prisoner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the somber occasion of a dear friend's funeral
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of somber
Despite his somber introduction, this version of Creasy doesn’t earn the character’s darker choices.
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
And, barring a few jokes about speaking French and a somber wreath laying at the 9/11 memorial, the vibes are simply awkward, stilted and unsettled.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
After a somber morning at the 9/11 Memorial in New York, Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla went their separate ways.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2026
Hancock’s visit came at a somber time for his alma mater.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for somber
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
And, barring a few jokes about speaking French and a somber wreath laying at the 9/11 memorial, the vibes are simply awkward, stilted and unsettled.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
After a somber morning at the 9/11 Memorial in New York, Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla went their separate ways.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2026
Hancock’s visit came at a somber time for his alma mater.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
-
In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
As scientists often find darkened teeth in ancient burials, other factors can contribute to a black appearance, notably the chewing of betel leaves.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The job market is showing intermittent signs of recovery after a bleak 2025.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
The outlook appeared so bleak that Alexey Miranchuk gestured to the heavens and said, if the team could acquire help from a higher power and get a road win, maybe the ship could be steered in the right direction.—
Amna Subhan,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
All the bedrooms can be found upstairs, including one that’s currently being used as an office and a primary suite flaunting dual dressing rooms and baths, plus a sauna clad in dark gray stone.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On May 1, Maryland observed Fallen Heroes Day, a solemn reminder of the extraordinary sacrifice made by the men and women who answer the call to serve others.—
Nick Stewart,
Baltimore Sun,
9 May 2026
-
Protesters carried myriad homemade signs, some tongue-in-cheek, some more solemn.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Details about the underlying allegation remain murky, but the department sources familiar with the matter said the LAPD’s secretive Special Operations Division tailed officers who were under investigation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
He’s offered a murky definition of a ceasefire.—
Ben Finley,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Because what could be more depressing than just passively watching the world burn and melt and crumble?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
-
This level of security is a depressing necessity in modern-day Britain.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Treating depressive symptoms without looking at factors such as childhood trauma, the loss of a loved one, or being laid off from a job is an incomplete approach, many mental health researchers and clinicians say.—
Aneri Pattani,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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But its depressive effect can harm mental health, physical health, and personal relationships.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Soon afterward, with minimal warning, my mother moved to a small white farmhouse on a lonely hillside in rural New Hampshire.—
Nicholas Dawidoff,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
-
But being an anti-Trump Republican has become a lonelier job in recent years as the party establishment’s support solidified behind Trump during the historically successful campaign in 2024 that returned him to the White House.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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