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 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
Assisted by the low, somber strings of Oliver Coates’ score and the clean, crisp brightness of Judith Kaufmann’s lensing, Volpe directs with much the same simplicity and moderation, toward a pitch-perfect ending of wholly disarming terseness and economy.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
The Seattle Seahawks were NFC Champions after defeating the Rams, and Stafford and his teammates went back to Los Angeles late on what was likely a somber flight.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for somber
Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
The Seattle Seahawks were NFC Champions after defeating the Rams, and Stafford and his teammates went back to Los Angeles late on what was likely a somber flight.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
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
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
-
The dating scene is bleak, or at least increasingly difficult to navigate.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
But none of them have felt as bleak or despairing as Israeli director Anat Even’s scathing cinematic essay, Collapse (Effondrement).—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At the center of the space will be a central bar wrapped in wood paneling and leather accents, topped with dark stone, according to the release.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
February 17,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The shoes accompanied a silky black midi skirt, a simple gray sweater, a thick dark turquoise belt and a long furry gray coat worn off her shoulders.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Queen Emma was the first to wear the sapphire tiara in official portraits and solemn ceremonies, setting a precedent that her successors respected.—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians, who may reflect, fast and attend special church services.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But in the murky intermediate regime, the full quantum complexity of each electron plays a role, and the problem is classically intractable.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
4 Feb. 2026
-
There were a lot of murky secrets in the Victorian world.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Firstly, the jail is depressing and the people who work there are not always nice, particularly to reporters.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Despite this, black-market Stingers have had a depressing tendency to surface in conflicts around the world.—
David Szondy
February 08,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The fear alone sent Rzeznik down a depressive spiral of writer’s block, a move to New York City, and a separation from his wife.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
14 Feb. 2026
-
While menopausal depression can be temporary, there is also risk of developing a depressive disorder during perimenopause and menopause.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Biographers invariably describe Jackson as feeling lonely and different as a child.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Being in the entertainment industry can feel really lonely.—
Cierra Black,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
