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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
-
Its fun-first identity is part of the draw in a market flooded with solemn storytelling and dusty barrels.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Moderator Whoopi Goldberg opened the show with a solemn acknowledgment of the disaster, urging viewers in affected areas to stay safe and tune in for information on how to help.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
The duo stepped out in complementary dark ensembles, with Hayek wearing one of her favorite footwear looks — hefty platform heels — with a black velvet dress.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
9 July 2025
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My perspective always seems a bit darker and less hopeful.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Joya had been allowed to pull the flouncy bit off her shoulders, like the singers in ABBA, but since my mother told me to keep covered, the top surrounded me sadly like a funereal wreath.—
Jhumpa Lahiri,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
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The Jansson rift is captured in her Family painting, a stark portrait of her father and younger brother Per Olov in their military outfits, with the artist in funereal attire brooding over Per Olov’s chess game with youngest brother Lars.—
Patrick Sauer,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 June 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 12 Jul. 2025.
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