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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in solemn
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
Koenig said news of his arrest cast a somber mood in school last month.
—
Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 18 July 2025
Retton's mugshot showed her in a somber mood, seemingly on the verge of tears.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
High-contrast, stark black-and-white tones, water droplets and a somber expression emerging from shadows.
—Evan J. Schwartz, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
There were no somber emotions this time from Dončić’s side, with Balkan music blasting throughout the practice facility before he and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka held a news conference to celebrate Dončić’s extension.
—Khobi Price, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 18 July 2025
Retton's mugshot showed her in a somber mood, seemingly on the verge of tears.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
High-contrast, stark black-and-white tones, water droplets and a somber expression emerging from shadows.
—Evan J. Schwartz, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
There were no somber emotions this time from Dončić’s side, with Balkan music blasting throughout the practice facility before he and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka held a news conference to celebrate Dončić’s extension.
—Khobi Price, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
-
There really isn’t any ambiguity here: Congress must debate and deliberate over the solemn decision to declare and make war, and the executive carries out its mandates as commander in chief.—
Chris Lehmann,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
-
For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a solemn occasion where Imam Hussain, Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, and many of his companions and family members are remembered and honored after being killed in the Battle of Karbala in Iraq in A.D. 680.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Sydney Sweeney’s new dark crime comedy Americana is new in theaters this weekend.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Flames and dark smoke billowed over a cement factory that was set alight by a wildfire that swept through olive groves and forests and disrupted rail traffic on the outskirts of the Greek city of Patras, west of Athens.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The wake itself turns out to be less funereal and more a celebration of life.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
8 Aug. 2025
-
But when did our mutual garment become so funereal? Advertisement Joy, it is sometimes said these days, is resistance.—
David Litt,
Time,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Stafford’s status at training camp has been murky, to say the least.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Though the love and dating waters can be murky, the future is nevertheless bright for us.—
Essence,
Essence,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But when Shapiro demoed it on piano, Stiller recognized a spiritual cousin to David Shire’s lonely, somewhat jazzy solo piano score for The Conversation.—
Tim Greiving,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Although Devil Girl from Mars was typical of the silly, schlocky TV fare that Estelle watched on many afternoons during her childhood, this movie was more than entertainment for a bored, lonely girl-child.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
How long is unknown, but with the season winding down and every game increasing in importance, any game off for Tucker is a sad statement on how far his stock has dropped in the last month.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
-
But the film’s precise, funny characters and vivid, sweltering look would have meant nothing without Lee’s wise and ultimately sad vision of multicultural America as a place where good intentions and casual mistrust are as commonplace as the local pizzeria.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 30 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share