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
The Timberwolves postponed their game Sunday and returned to face a somber atmosphere; NBA players and unions called for change and solidarity with Minnesota.
—
Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
After evening fell, a somber, sorrowful crowd in the hundreds kept a vigil by the memorial.
—Jack Brook, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
That’s why the Bears’ mood has been so understandably somber since late Sunday night.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The state funeral was to be held the next day, and while everyone else would write about the ceremonies, the dignitaries attending, and the circumstances that led to the monumentally somber occasion, Breslin decided to tell a different story.
—Harrison Monarth, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for somber
Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
After evening fell, a somber, sorrowful crowd in the hundreds kept a vigil by the memorial.
—Jack Brook, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
That’s why the Bears’ mood has been so understandably somber since late Sunday night.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The state funeral was to be held the next day, and while everyone else would write about the ceremonies, the dignitaries attending, and the circumstances that led to the monumentally somber occasion, Breslin decided to tell a different story.
—Harrison Monarth, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
-
Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui posted a video to X over the weekend, showing a dazzling view of auroras spreading like a tall blanket over the darkened Earth below.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Over the weekend, around 16,000 people paid their respects to the designer at his funeral chamber at the Armani Teatro designed by Tadao Ando, filled with white flowers and paper lanterns on the floor in a diagonal grid formation dimly lit up the darkened venue.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Iran’s internet connectivity has been partially restored, but experts are warning that, even on the other side of the digital blackout, the outlook for Iranian internet access remains bleak.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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The same brush painted the bleak picture for both schools.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Jim is the only one standing still, staring straight at the camera with his intense, dark-blue eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Small described the shooter as a male who was wearing dark clothing and black and white shoes.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The announcements were made during a solemn session marking the opening of the 2026 judicial year at the Supreme Court of Justice, at an official ceremony closed to the media.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
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Members of the British royal family traditionally take part in a number of solemn events to honor their sacrifices.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Trump’s is a bold prediction, and one belied by the fact that the revolution founded by Fidel Castro in the 1950s has survived all manner of murky CIA assassination plots and decades of economic arm twisting.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
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The legality of doing so, however, remains murky as the fate of a follow-up bill known as the Clarity Act—which has big potential implications for stablecoins—remains unclear.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Winter can be gloomy, dreary, and depressing.—
Kari Leibowitz,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
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Suggesting that Hallam was trying to make a name for himself was a depressing line for Guardiola to attack.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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People who, like Isaacson, have had depression lasting two or more years or at least two depressive episodes are far more likely to have additional ones, research shows.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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In that shift, the antipsychotic drug took me into a really deep depressive episode.—
Anna Peele,
Vanity Fair,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Interestingly, the clip of the penguin proved something of a Rorschach test, with some viewing the creature as a lonely outcast, and others interpreting the penguin’s journey as a quest for adventure.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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One of Hardy's victims, who went only by the pseudonym Melanie, told The Guardian that in school, Hardy was a target for bullies and seemed lonely.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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