1
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
vowed that he would never take a desk job working in a dreary office
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressing
causing unhappiness
decided to see a professional counselor in order to save their dreary marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest
another dreary social event to suffer through
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dreary
After the storm moves away from the coast later Monday into Tuesday, the East could get a brief reprieve from the dreary weather.
—
Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Luna and Tonatiuh also appear in the film-within-the-film, their dashing personas and colorful surroundings a stark juxtaposition to the dreary prison walls.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
No matter how dreary the forecast, strong outerwear can make getting dressed for frigid temperatures seamless.
—Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2025
Rainy season may sound dreary, but the temperatures are still high, and the showers tend to come in short bursts, rather than lasting all day.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreary
Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Luna and Tonatiuh also appear in the film-within-the-film, their dashing personas and colorful surroundings a stark juxtaposition to the dreary prison walls.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
No matter how dreary the forecast, strong outerwear can make getting dressed for frigid temperatures seamless.
—Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2025
Rainy season may sound dreary, but the temperatures are still high, and the showers tend to come in short bursts, rather than lasting all day.
—Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreary
Adjective
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These are bleak times, and as fans continue to mourn the club’s decline, West Ham’s hierarchy have shifted their focus to the January transfer window.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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As with many of Burton's best films, the real magic is the nuggets of human profundity hidden within the bleak imagery and whimsical comedy.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And that’s what's so depressing.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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His college career has come to an end in a very depressing way.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Without getting into spoilers, her one-and-done appearance in Episode 5 presents the perfect opportunity for the more-than-capable Meester to match wits with Bell’s judgmental Joanna, only to strand the actor with boring, obvious jokes and saddle her with a feeble resolution.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
23 Oct. 2025
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Now, adidas is also proving that hiking boots don’t have to look boring, since the brand’s perfect-for-fall versions are attractive as can be, what with their mingling of brown with other earth tones.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Prince Harry wore a black blazer over a white T-shirt with dark pants.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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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
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As Morgan and Sasha chat it up at Noah’s family’s Purim party, a sad-eyed Esther stands off to the side, quietly watching the interaction.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
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The footage shows Deiseroth’s demeanor teetering between sad and angry.—
David Goodhue
October 24,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But Braun was solid before tiring and working through injuries that affected him on the ball over the final month last season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
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Instead of a chance to flex their goalscoring muscles, United had to grit their teeth and see out a gruelling, tense, tiring second half.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Leave it to Shane Black to turn the lonely act of screenwriting into a contact sport.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
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One of the more criminally underrated films of the genre, this Frankenstein-esque tale stars Angela Bettis as the title woman, a lonely sort whose sole friend is a doll made by her mom.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Panthers’ defense was largely effective against a pathetic Jets offense, which could barely muster movement at home.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
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And Craig Waterman, the marketing executive from the 2024 film Friendship, took Robinson into new territory with a darker and more pathetic take on the same neurotic type.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dreary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreary. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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