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 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
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Recent Examples of somber
The morning after, the mood in the Lower Galilee town was somber, compounded by anger over a lack of adequate bomb shelters, an issue that Palestinian citizens of Israel have long warned was a glaring inequality that exists throughout their communities.
—
Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
For all the highs that Young Thug’s performance delivered, there comes one somber realization.
—Mark P. Braboy, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
There are places where 28 Years Later is gorgeously somber, echoing the desolate lyricism of the first movie.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 19 June 2025
Future handles chorus duties on the somber track, which finds the trio calming their mothers’ worries, assuring them at their turbulent upbringings prepared them for the callousness of life.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 16 June 2025
For all the highs that Young Thug’s performance delivered, there comes one somber realization.
—Mark P. Braboy, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
There are places where 28 Years Later is gorgeously somber, echoing the desolate lyricism of the first movie.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 19 June 2025
Future handles chorus duties on the somber track, which finds the trio calming their mothers’ worries, assuring them at their turbulent upbringings prepared them for the callousness of life.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
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In the procedural drama, Rodríguez brings to life a multi-layered and solemn character shaped by a traumatic childhood — abused within the foster care system, with no knowledge of his origins, and struggling with severe dyslexia.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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This protection -- known as the seal of confession -- is among the oldest and most solemn obligations in the Catholic Church, grounded in the Church’s teaching that, in the sacrament, penitents are confidentially confessing to and receiving forgiveness from God.—
Hiram Sasser,
National Review,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
My challenge was to make the sequel scarier, and darker.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Prioritize sleep quality: Creating a consistent bedtime routine and keeping your bedroom cool and dark may help improve sleep.—
Stella Bard,
Health,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
But when the movie started, the mood turned funereal.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
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The former president was seen taking a photo with another mourner; his wife, like first lady Melania Trump — in attendance with President Trump — wore a funereal veil.—
Adam Carlson,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Her eyes were murky green and always cast upward and to the left.—
Ottessa Moshfegh,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
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Rules and regulations regarding international flight cancellations are a little murky.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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While Bowie envisioned an Earth careening toward apocalypse in a flamboyant, theatrical cry, Drake’s five leaves are quieter, lonelier — more like the end of a season than the end of a world.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
5 July 2025
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By January, Musk had transitioned to lieutenant, making up DOGE, complete with cringey swag, like a lonely preteen dreaming up a secret club in his tree house.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Too much alcohol and your dreamy dessert turns into a sad, semi-frozen slush.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Her eyes are big and sad, and her index finger touches the tip of the nightstick hanging from the policeman’s belt.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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