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 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
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Recent Examples of somber
Hudson’s performance kicks into a surprising dramatic gear, the actress’s playful Milwaukee accent settling into a relatively somber key, grappling with dreams dashed.
—
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
One year after two of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history erupted just hours apart, survivors commemorated the day in Altadena and Pacific Palisades with a mixture of anger and somber remembrance.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Organizers’ decision to line the entrance to Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar with a black carpet, rather than a red one, set a somewhat somber tone — one that was matched by an abundance of black suits and dresses.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
There’s also a palpable push to up the Pittsburgh-specific material that honors the real place outside the hospital doors, from somber reminders of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting to lighthearted traditions like an annual furry convention.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for somber
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 2026
One year after two of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history erupted just hours apart, survivors commemorated the day in Altadena and Pacific Palisades with a mixture of anger and somber remembrance.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Organizers’ decision to line the entrance to Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar with a black carpet, rather than a red one, set a somewhat somber tone — one that was matched by an abundance of black suits and dresses.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
There’s also a palpable push to up the Pittsburgh-specific material that honors the real place outside the hospital doors, from somber reminders of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting to lighthearted traditions like an annual furry convention.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
-
By becoming the light in a darkened world, everyone becomes a firefly that helps to illuminate the way back home to each other.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
29 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
Her family later learned that on April 23, 2021 — the day Parker found his aunt in a bleak mood — Dee had an angry confrontation over financial issues with two employees of the trucking company.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
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Some of Tarr’s most memorable scenes feature landscapes, often bleak and despairing settings of decaying Hungarian towns, punctuated with close-ups of characters’ faces.—
John Penner,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Don't feel afraid to play with bold (but dark) colors and various materials.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Open my soul to the vast dark places.—
Gwen Faulkenberry,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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More than five hours after the crash, there was a solemn procession off of Route 146 led by Massachusetts State Police, followed by the medical examiner and fellow police officers.—
Anna Meiler,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
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That this is a serious matter—not slight at all—does not oblige the author of a seriously funny book to be solemn.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The publication also shares some of the murky citation practices of contemporary social media.—
Colin Lecher,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
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The murky word of sports collectibles The passion to possess a thing that belonged to someone famous is as old as time.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In the story, there is a lot of comedy that naturally arises from tragic moments, from dark, depressing moments.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
10 Jan. 2026
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This is par for the course, because conversations are confusing, even depressing.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
During high-stress situations, accepting negative emotions rather than avoiding them can reduce depressive symptoms.—
Stacy Shaw,
Fortune,
26 Dec. 2025
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During high-stress situations, accepting negative emotions rather than avoiding them can reduce depressive symptoms.—
Stacy Shaw,
The Conversation,
18 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The patient thriller finds Agnes lonely in her seedy motel, with a phone that often rings, though the person on the other end of the line never speaks.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
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Namir Smallwood stars opposite Coon as Peter, a paranoid former soldier and mysterious drifter who meets her character Agnes, a lonely waitress.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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