funereal

adjective

fu·​ne·​re·​al fyu̇-ˈnir-ē-əl How to pronounce funereal (audio)
1
: of or relating to a funeral
2
: befitting or suggesting a funeral (as in solemnity)
funereally adverb

Examples of funereal in a Sentence

shivered with cold in the dark and funereal Victorian mansion
Recent Examples on the Web The music never gets very loud or very soft, fast, or high: The mood is politely mournful, the pace a frequently funereal trudge. An Epic Set, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2024 The Golden Globes are traditionally known as the biggest party in Hollywood, but Rosamund Pike's look at the 2024 awards was a little more funereal than celebratory. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2024 Apart from the movers, and the booms of Israeli artillery fired toward Gaza, a funereal stillness sits over this small community, whose name has become synonymous with the ravages of Oct. 7. Heidi Levine, Washington Post, 20 Dec. 2023 In Shostakovich’s theatrically emphatic setting, the music oscillates threateningly between a plodding, funereal grind and a crazed dance infused with bitter irony. John Adams, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2023 But this time, the mood among the congregation’s many Indigenous members was funereal. Michael E. Miller, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2023 The woodblock prints of José Guadalupe Posada, known for depicting Mexico’s political classes as a funereal parade of skeletons, have become part of global popular culture. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2023 By video’s end, Shane is changing from his baggy jeans and Vans snapback into funereal black pants and a button-down, and lighting yet another smoke. Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2023 But the mood in the locker room was almost funereal. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'funereal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin funereus, from funer-, funus

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of funereal was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near funereal

Cite this Entry

“Funereal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/funereal. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

funereal

adjective
fu·​ne·​re·​al fyu̇-ˈnir-ē-əl How to pronounce funereal (audio)
: suggesting a funeral
funereal gloom
funereally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on funereal

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!