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 All parents struggle in some way to adjust to life as empty nesters, but Charlie leaves his mom and dad in a somber, reflective state that casts a heavy pall over an episode that drifts toward the turgid. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 Beck’s first album in seven years is a sublime return to the somber folk-rock of career highpoints like 2002’s Sea Change and 2014’s Morning Phase. — Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026 Two years later, I was born, on their wedding date and into a much larger and more somber coincidence. — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026 The actor-director continued on a more somber note, driving home the importance of free speech. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 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
  • Around them stand darkened houses, and uncollected trash piles up on the street.
    — Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of darkened
Adjective
  • Whether or not this year takes the top slot in that bleak ranking is still unclear.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Its successes have provided a spark of optimism in what has otherwise been a bleak few months for Ukraine.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • There’s nothing about the white bedding, dark-wood furniture, and tan carpeting that will knock your socks off—but nothing that will make your toes curl, either.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Guadagnino and screenwriter Simon Rich mold the material from dark humor through technocratic giddiness to sobering horror.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • This production, solemn about our obligations to one another but committed to providing a good night out at the theater, is neither.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Zack Wheeler pitched a gem against Tampa Bay on Sunday and untangled a few thousand knots inside the stomachs of Phillies fans, and even from those inside a mostly solemn clubhouse.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • As the camera focused on a star player making a touchdown or a slam dunk, the faces of the fans behind them would coalesce into a colorful, murky abstraction.
    — Ryan Sullivan, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Authorities continue to unpack the details around the harrowing incident, many of which remain murky.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of murky
Adjective
  • There will be pockets of opportunities from these old big department stores, which are underinvested and a bit depressing to walk around.
    — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In the wake of a depressing 69-93 season that sputtered out from the get-go, as so many a Royals campaign does, the club promptly made some substantial changes.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of depressing
Adjective
  • Studies that followed African American adolescents and Latino/a adolescents have found a link between experiences of discrimination and depressive symptoms that linger years later.
    — Anahi Collado, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Research has found that low serotonin levels could lead to the return of clinically significant depressive symptoms in people who have depression.
    — Amber Raiken, Verywell Health, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of depressive
Adjective
  • Bilbao seems to be a central character in the film, sometimes portrayed as lonely, dark and gritty.
    — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • People report feeling less lonely after chatting with an AI companion, which resembles seeking comfort.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of lonely

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Cite this Entry

“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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