somber

adjective

ˈsäm-bər How to pronounce somber (audio)
variants or sombre
Definition of sombernext
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

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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 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 somber The sculpture depicts the cowboy leaning against a tree, a lasso in hand, and a somber or tired expression on his face. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 19 June 2026 The feeling inside the house is quiet and somber. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026 Typical of Vandenberg weather, a marine layer of low clouds and fog added a somber look to the scene. — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026 Its gritty military-leaning stories carried a somber post-9/11 feel that seemed appropriate for a fractured world needing a serious reality check. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
  1. darkened
  2. bleak
  3. dark
  4. solemn
  5. murky
  6. depressing
  7. depressive
  8. lonely
Adjective
  • This trend has been pretty pervasive among designer bags recently, with shoppers buying new Prada and Chanel bags with darkened leather to give them a used look, or sourcing vintage Celine bags with obvious signs of wear.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 2 July 2026
  • She’s talked up her push to convert darkened streetlights, many of them stripped of their copper wire, to solar power.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Definition of darkened
Adjective
  • Outside of Duran’s efforts, though, the Rangers’ offense was bleak.
    — Cal Phillips Updated July 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 July 2026
  • Indeed, Brocka insists on escapist fantasies in a world that otherwise offers no escape, which, in my view, is more hopeful than bleak — and, in turn, allows this kind of gritty sensuality to persist in his ever-enduring, luminous cinema.
    — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Aerial footage showed heavy damage to the suspect's vehicle, a dark gray sedan.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • They're headed to a battery recycler who will shred them into a fine, dark powder called black mass, from which those minerals can be recovered and reused in new batteries.
    — Camila Domonoske, NPR, 13 July 2026
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • In both the novel and its film adaptation, the scriptorium is portrayed as a solemn place where writing is a mechanical, joyless labor.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • But the challenge has remained over the decades for popes that the threat of schism, or a rupture within the church, might lurk behind a preference for a more solemn liturgy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • With Jagger’s vocals often buried deep in the muddy and murky mix, the album initially sounds like a druggy demo.
    — Marc Ballon, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Additional flights of the Zhuque-3 and Long March 12A are likely to come soon, although the scheduling is murky because of China’s tendency to stay tight-lipped about the specifics of its future plans.
    — Lee Billings, Scientific American, 10 July 2026
Definition of murky
Adjective
  • In addition to which, the Moon is lined up with stern Saturn, which can be depressing.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 July 2026
  • Laughter and jokes are banned, and writing is presented as arduous and faintly depressing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Definition of depressing
Adjective
  • Unlike more overtly depressive takes on this role, Bos’ Hamlet is impetuous and sardonic, often bounding up three stairs in a single step and unspooling his words, words, words as if his mouth can’t keep up with his restless mind.
    — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), the largest and longest-running study of the menopause transition, shows women are significantly more likely to report high depressive symptoms during perimenopause than before it.
    — Dr. Sarah Berg, Time, 9 July 2026
Definition of depressive
Adjective
  • The film follows Gro (Ezeudu-Sterling), a lonely night-shift worker raised by vampires, who discovers she’s adopted and will never become one of them.
    — Jennie Punter, Variety, 14 July 2026
  • For a generation branded the loneliest generation, hiking clubs are becoming more than a workout.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026
Definition of lonely

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somatic
somber
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Cite this Entry

“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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