1
as in sad
causing unhappiness
the melancholy thought of having to say good-bye to all the friends he had made over the summer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness
they were a bit melancholy after their youngest child left for college
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3
as in thoughtful
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking
a melancholy period in the artist's life that is reflected in his work
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as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits
the bleakness of winter sometimes gives me cause for melancholy
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of melancholy
Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Jude Law’s Captain Hook becomes a more melancholy character thanks to revelations that tie his past to Peter’s, and his villain rehabilitation is more effective than certain flashier Disney efforts in that area.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
Judy Berman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
Watching Thief, yes, we’re naturally mesmerized by its nocturnal compositions, its lovely sense of melancholy, its almost abstract robbery sequences filled with sparks and flames bursting off steel vaults.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melancholy
Adjective
In Andrews’s adaptation and staging, Ranevskaya (Nina Hoss, all melancholy grace and understated charisma) feels more like a part of a true ensemble.
—Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Jude Law’s Captain Hook becomes a more melancholy character thanks to revelations that tie his past to Peter’s, and his villain rehabilitation is more effective than certain flashier Disney efforts in that area.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
Quiet, melancholy Andrew slowly resigns himself to letting his sweet daughter go.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
Watching Thief, yes, we’re naturally mesmerized by its nocturnal compositions, its lovely sense of melancholy, its almost abstract robbery sequences filled with sparks and flames bursting off steel vaults.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melancholy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melancholy
Adjective
-
If my random and unscientific survey of some French opinion at all represents the nation’s as a whole, then the debut of Donald Trump’s America has left some French triste — a bit sad, even brokenhearted, and also wary and vigilant.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
-
Her story is beautiful and sad, heartwarming and devastating.—
American Booksellers Association,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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Investors are keenly watching these metrics as European banks transition to an environment of monetary easing, particularly in Switzerland, which has been combating a strong franc and depressed inflation with interest rates as low as 0.25%.—
Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
30 Apr. 2025
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Dracula’s Daughter is about a lady vampire who seduces and feeds off other ladies and who is depressed and desperate to be cured of her unyielding desire for wom— sorry.—
Jordan Crucchiola,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The experience reflects the same thoughtful curation found throughout one of Waikiki’s most exclusive boutique hotels, where nine residential-style suites, each an entire floor with private elevator access, redefine oceanfront luxury.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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For all its thoughtful flourishes, a meal at Kabawa feels easygoing and joyous.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
4 May 2025
Adjective
-
They are already relegated to the Championship with five games to play and could break club records after a desperately depressing campaign.—
Rob Tanner,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Editor’s picks An hour of episodic television is usually breech-birthed in a depressing Hollywood conference room filled with dyspeptic writers arguing over lines as the space fills up with the smell of fear, body odor, and Asian fusion takeout.—
Stephen Rodrick,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Kraft had strong leads among some voting groups polled, the poll showed, including Republicans, voters who disapprove of Boston’s sanctuary city status, those unhappy with Boston’s quality of life, and those prioritizing government spending/taxes.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2025
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Sonya can be competitive about who is more unhappy.—
Jason Zinoman,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Our testers only saw the price after testing to determine whether the price was reflective of the potting bench’s value and features.—
Megan Newton,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 May 2025
-
The Game actress shared a reflective message about her daughter’s growth leading up to Cairo’s birthday.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
Fatigue and depression can lead to physical inactivity, which can reduce quality of life and impede recovery.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
2 May 2025
-
Anxiety is the most common, followed by depression.—
Alex Backus,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
The band played somber hymns marking Good Friday, a mournful day during Holy Week.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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At the vigil, the atmosphere appeared to be both mournful and celebratory of Scooter’s life.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Melancholy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melancholy. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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