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
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Recent Examples of somber
The somber tribute honors children who lost their lives to the harms of social media, and Prince Harry and Meghan attended a private vigil at the site in the spring.
—
Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
When speaking to reporters after the game, a somber Henry took full accountability for the fumbles.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
The somber atmospherics and satisfying weightiness allowed Dudamel to show off his new ensemble’s soloists and sections, which have prepped for his arrival by burnishing their sonic gold.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Over somber music, the clip shows the late conservative activist’s widow, Erika Kirk, alongside friends and family, and images of the vice president helping carry the casket to Air Force Two.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
When speaking to reporters after the game, a somber Henry took full accountability for the fumbles.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
The somber atmospherics and satisfying weightiness allowed Dudamel to show off his new ensemble’s soloists and sections, which have prepped for his arrival by burnishing their sonic gold.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Over somber music, the clip shows the late conservative activist’s widow, Erika Kirk, alongside friends and family, and images of the vice president helping carry the casket to Air Force Two.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
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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
-
Yom Kippur is the most solemn Jewish holiday, marking the end of the 10 Days of Repentance that begin with Rosh Hashanah.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Models walking the runway — staged at the Pinacoteca di Brera museum — had solemn expressions on their faces.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Smithsonian Institution, which includes all the Smithsonian museums, plans to go dark after Saturday if the government shutdown continues beyond then, according to its website.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Polselli brings a painterly gaze to scenes of quiet dread, such as a figure gradually appearing out of thick brush as two women make their way home through dark woods.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The next seven frames felt funereal.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
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Not explained is whether Makary would be happier if drug companies placed ads with immobile patients, frowns, and funereal music.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Combs' case was particularly challenging, wading into the murky intersections of consent and coercion, celebrity, complex workplace dynamics and the myriad ways that people cope with trauma.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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The lack of government data leaves investors, economists and policymakers with a murkier view of the economy at a crucial moment when concerns are mounting about a weaker labor market and stickier inflation.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As gaming becomes a more mainstream activity, however, these stereotypes grow more archaic, and a new study from the Entertainment Software Association suggests that the universal image of a gamer as a lonely young male is not just outdated, but inaccurate.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
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His lonely white panel cap, the lucky charm the Jays wore for four-straight victories, sat alone on a cushioned chair.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
One purveyor of fairy tales that wasn’t afraid of a sad ending?—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
3 Oct. 2025
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Sade Bess, a Combs fan from Brooklyn, left the court’s overflow observation room looking both sad and relieved.—
Jennifer Peltz,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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