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
Wishing people a happy Memorial Day is regarded as verboten because the day is considered a somber one to honor troops killed in service.
—
Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Plus, the combination of the stone fireplace and the dark wood cabinets and shelves flanking it contributed to the overall impression of a somber, too-serious space.
—Meghan Holloran, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2025
Trump will participate in the traditional wreath-laying ceremony and speak at the cemetery’s amphitheater, in what has been a somber occasion for U.S. presidents.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025
More: How Trump's clash with the courts is brewing into an 'all-out war'
The president's online activity at the start of Memorial Day also included a series of posts sharing videos marking the somber holiday with tributes to the military.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Plus, the combination of the stone fireplace and the dark wood cabinets and shelves flanking it contributed to the overall impression of a somber, too-serious space.
—Meghan Holloran, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2025
Trump will participate in the traditional wreath-laying ceremony and speak at the cemetery’s amphitheater, in what has been a somber occasion for U.S. presidents.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025
More: How Trump's clash with the courts is brewing into an 'all-out war'
The president's online activity at the start of Memorial Day also included a series of posts sharing videos marking the somber holiday with tributes to the military.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
-
Only the buzz of Israeli drones overhead filled the solemn silence.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
7 June 2025
-
The score becomes grand and syrupy whenever there’s a big emotional revelation; characters deliver solemn soliloquies on the orderly beauty of math.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Lights with a lower temperature tend to be a warmer, more yellow shade that may look dim in dark garages.—
Molly Blanco,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
-
He was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
3 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
-
Since President Donald Trump took office, at least half of the security council's staff have been laid off or left, and the future of BARDA is murky.—
Amy Maxmen,
ABC News,
6 June 2025
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But whether federal or state politicians could foil a Trump settlement is murky.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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As found in the survey, adults who experience daily loneliness are nearly five times more likely to rate their current life poorly compared to those who aren’t lonely.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Skeletal branches created a cathedral over the lonely vehicle where the 64-year-old man had breathed his last, the winter-gray river placid in the background behind a ramble of fences.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Banks: There’s a reason why the theater [symbol] is a happy face/sad face.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
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To some, this may sound bizarre, laughable, or even just plain sad.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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