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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bleak contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of bleak are cheerless, desolate, dismal, dreary, and gloomy. While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten.

the bleak years of the depression

When is cheerless a more appropriate choice than bleak?

The words cheerless and bleak can be used in similar contexts, but cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering.

a drab and cheerless office

In what contexts can desolate take the place of bleak?

The meanings of desolate and bleak largely overlap; however, desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect.

a desolate outpost

When might dismal be a better fit than bleak?

The synonyms dismal and bleak are sometimes interchangeable, but dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess.

dismal weather

Where would dreary be a reasonable alternative to bleak?

While the synonyms dreary and bleak are close in meaning, dreary, often interchangeable with dismal, emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility.

a dreary job

When would gloomy be a good substitute for bleak?

The words gloomy and bleak are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise.

gloomy war news

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bleak Easier said than done of course, but Sunday’s game against the Falcons will tell us all if this bleak season is salvageable, or if McDaniel’s team has quit on him and is going through the motions. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025 Though Beatrice and Eugenie will not be entirely unaffected by their parents' scandals, royal experts have painted a bleaker picture for Andrew and Sarah. Ashley Hume , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025 In August, the company announced CEO Richard Zimmerman’s plan to step down by the end of the year following a bleak second-quarter. Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025 After back-to-back losses to the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, things are beginning to look bleak, and a former NFL quarterback has revealed what will cost the team a Super Bowl run. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bleak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleak
Adjective
  • And that’s what's so depressing.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
  • His college career has come to an end in a very depressing way.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The honesty hit home for fans who’ve watched Homa navigate a turbulent stretch.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Whether this week’s series of agreements across Asia marks the start of a broader reset—or a temporary thaw in a turbulent trade landscape—will depend on how these commitments unfold in the months ahead.
    Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Another, who was familiar with Graeter’s commented that the creamery could do no wrong and suggested hot caramel to create the ultimate fall dessert for sitting by a fire on a chilly night.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Thurday and Friday are going to be chilly days with lows dipping into the 30s and freeze warning and a frost advisory in place in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
    Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Nuno’s sombre facial expression did little to mask his dread over the club’s plight.
    Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Sixty-two years after that somber swearing-in, the central figures who were on board Air Force One have passed away, among them Johnson, his wife, Lady Bird, Jackie Kennedy and Hughes.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • On a gray and rainy Sunday morning in October, the Russell Farms in Noblesville was resplendent in color with a wide variety of gourds and pumpkins in just about every shade of orange, yellow, green, white, blue.
    Kelly Wilkinson, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The Kom legend of the exploding lake during the rainy season comes to mind.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This ruling is a chilling step toward unchecked government overreach, intruding on the most personal aspects of our private lives.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • After the series premiered on Netflix in October 2025, viewers were left wondering just how much of its chilling story was real.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Prince Harry wore a black blazer over a white T-shirt with dark pants.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Its legs are a similar pale yellow color covered with irregular black and dark-brown markings, according to Omelko.
    Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Densely populated with cold, snowy winters, the Empire State has one of the oldest and most accessible networks of ski resorts in the country.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Historically, Indy's snowiest month is January.
    John Tufts, IndyStar, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bleak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleak. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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