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
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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
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Recent Examples of somber
Picasso's grandson, Olivier Widmaier Picasso, said the painting is rendered in the artist's signature style and the grey, white and cream composition reflects the sombre mood of the era, per Reuters.
—
Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The mood was somber, though leaving the hotel wasn’t the worst part.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
A lot of the most somber music at the turn of the millennium was moving in its lo-fi recording quality.
—Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026
Kati Bihu is a more somber occasion, when families offer prayers for a bountiful harvest.
—Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for somber
Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The mood was somber, though leaving the hotel wasn’t the worst part.
—Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
A lot of the most somber music at the turn of the millennium was moving in its lo-fi recording quality.
—Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026
Kati Bihu is a more somber occasion, when families offer prayers for a bountiful harvest.
—Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
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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
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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
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That’s partly because their bleak ending feels like a foregone conclusion from the start, even as Levinson’s frequently funny script crackles with comic depravity.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
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While the subject matter is bleak, Almodóvar balances the darkness with a tenderness and sensitivity that comes from a career of exploring women's lives at their most intimate.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Set dark green pieces aside separately.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
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Thanks to its high altitude and exceptionally dark skies, this location offers stunning views of the Milky Way and countless stars.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Scenes from some of the Robert Pearson character’s old movies are done in a 1940s Hollywood style using young actors that resemble James Dean or Robert Mitchum juxtaposed with the stark, solemn, isolated existence of the elderly Pearson.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
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Although the pope celebrates mass regularly on Sundays, feast days, and many other occasions, the Urbi et Orbi blessing is much rarer, reserved for solemn events in the church’s liturgical calendar.—
Leo XIV,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The prospects for Washington-Tehran peace talks remained murky, amplifying questions over oil and gas supplies worldwide.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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Sheinbaum said the federal government is still investigating a potential violation of national security laws in the still-murky incident.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Floyd’s sincerity, the startling extremity of his concern for the comfort of others, snaps Clark out of his depressed, and depressing, complacency.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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That’s already a depressing number.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Although some patients saw reductions in depressive symptoms for up to 12 months, most effects began to wane after nine months.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
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Longitudinal studies report 2 to 5 times higher risk for major depressive episodes during perimenopause compared with late premenopause.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Natalia, a lonely Brazilian centenarian, anchors this searching novel.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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In a just world, Katie and Sunny would find love with people that deserve them, and Archie would be left to contemplate his sad, lonely existence.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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