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 Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril’s series goes in a more somber, ruminative direction in the back half of the eight new episodes premiering today on Netflix, balancing the season’s entertaining yet repetitive early episodes. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026 The National Police of Ukraine also gave the same somber figures. — ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026 Back then, it was painted in a somber shade of Battleship Grey and, surprisingly, built without a customer order. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2026 The daughter of a brass tree guest told me that on the last day, her mother pulled her aside and offered a somber warning. — Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 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
  • His isolated existence is bleak, especially for such a bighearted person naturally inclined to love others.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But in a bleak indicator of the current political climate, the bait was inflammatory content about Muslims.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • The watch is home to a dark gray gradient opaline in the dial’s center, surrounded by a light-gray sunburst gradient on the chapter ring.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The television special offered a glimpse of the conversation pit, now done up with dark maroon carpet and a navy sofa with white cushions.
    — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • The ceremony, held at the Kendall District Station, included a solemn tribute from the color guard and remarks from Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz.
    — Camila Fernandez, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Last January, he was inducted into the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences in Paris during a solemn ceremony at the Institut de France.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • While mathematicians seem to be staring down a future where AI automates many elements of solving proofs, the picture for scientists is still rather murky.
    — Dan Garisto, Scientific American, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Trending Stories Three more Epcot Center shows are scheduled for Thursday, but the future for both the Beach Boys and John Stamos and the California Sound is extremely murky.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of murky
Adjective
  • Despite last night’s results, things are only going to get a lot weirder and more depressing.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The Ruhr Valley, in contrast, might be Europe’s vastest, most depressing suburb.
    — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of depressing
Adjective
  • And more than a third of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women worldwide report depressive symptoms.
    — Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Sleep disturbances are common in depression, and night owls (who tend to get less sleep than early birds) are likely to have more and worse depressive symptoms.
    — Payal Dhar, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of depressive
Adjective
  • Will the Mona Lisa’s smile feel lonelier if she’s removed from her current gallery in the Louvre and placed in a new one by herself?
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Neither approach is wrong, but misunderstandings can arise when one partner feels crowded and the other feels lonely.
    — Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of lonely

Browse Nearby Words

somatic
somber
somberly
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Cite this Entry

“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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