1
as in depressing
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
a bleak outlook for the team for the rest of the season
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
it was a dark and bleak wintry day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a bleak December morning
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bleak
The free-agent market projects to be bleak for players hoping to change teams this offseason because the Brooklyn Nets are the only team expected to have significant salary-cap space.
—
Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Deep into second-half stoppage time, down 1-0 to visiting Charlotte FC, things looked bleak for Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night at Children’s Mercy Park.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
For five years, from ages 12 to 17, Tyler De Los Reyes was homeless and his future looked bleak.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025
During that bleak era, Che-Chung Tsai, a researcher at the University of Washington, contacted several companies, seeking experimental drugs for use in an animal study.
—Jon Cohen, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Deep into second-half stoppage time, down 1-0 to visiting Charlotte FC, things looked bleak for Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night at Children’s Mercy Park.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
For five years, from ages 12 to 17, Tyler De Los Reyes was homeless and his future looked bleak.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025
During that bleak era, Che-Chung Tsai, a researcher at the University of Washington, contacted several companies, seeking experimental drugs for use in an animal study.
—Jon Cohen, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleak
Adjective
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That this show could mark a turning point for free speech and the First Amendment is just too depressing to contemplate.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
2 July 2025
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But already there are major depressing effects on the ports and warehousing that are important contributors to California's economy.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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At the tight end position, a turbulent year around him in 2024 didn’t allow for any consistency for Jake Ferguson, especially when factoring in his injuries.—
Nick Harris
July 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 July 2025
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Chapek’s short and turbulent reign ended in 2022 when Iger returned as CEO.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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That’s still chilly, but remember the greenhouse effect: there is a lot of frozen methane and carbon dioxide on Pluto, so these ices can vaporize and possibly provide enough thermal retention to make the tiny world at least somewhat comfortable, if not exactly habitable.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
3 July 2025
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The rooftop bar features large couches placed near a grand fireplace for all the chilly nights to come.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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However, while circumstances were smooth-sailing at the start, things quickly took a somber turn on July 2, 1937.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
People.com,
2 July 2025
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His overjoyed demeanor starkly contrasted with his somber appearance in court just a day before when jurors said they were deadlocked on one of the five counts.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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For others, a pattern of cool, rainy spring weekends delayed planting!—
Heather Zidack,
Hartford Courant,
12 July 2025
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The break in rainy, stormy conditions comes after flash flooding continued to threaten recovery efforts through Wednesday night.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Finally, Trump’s travel ban could have a chilling effect on future foreign medical applicants to the U.S. Prospective physicians may be deterred from considering medical training programs in America given the challenges and hurdles present in securing visas.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
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Critics said the program fueled a narrative of bias and created a chilling effect among the academic community.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Its back has orange and gray markings with a scattering of darker brown blotches.—
Aspen Pflughoeft
Updated July 9,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
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The duo stepped out in complementary dark ensembles, with Hayek wearing one of her favorite footwear looks — hefty platform heels — with a black velvet dress.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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With another snowy winter blanketing Music City, most Nashvillians need a vacation.—
Audrey Gibbs,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
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Spring has arrived in Austin, which also signals the return of potential severe weather — on the heels of an unusually cold and snowy winter.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bleak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleak. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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