1
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the usual glum waiting room at the tax collector's office a cold, glum day
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sad
feeling unhappiness
how can you be glum after such a great day?
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pouting
given to or displaying a resentful silence and often irritability
a chronically glum and pouting child
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of glum
Despite her glum report, Bothwell expressed some hope.
—
Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
So those are the tracks that determinedly break from the overriding tone that runs through the other songs, which is rather more glum, or at least searching and reflective about why too much time got wasted in a long, nowhere love affair.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 20 June 2025
Returning to work and dealing with strict COVID-19 protocols, inflation and supply-chain issues, crews could be glum.
—Steve Knopper, Billboard, 9 June 2025
Losses weren’t quite as dire as on Thursday for media and tech stocks, but the morning still signaled a glum end to a turbulent week.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for glum
Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
So those are the tracks that determinedly break from the overriding tone that runs through the other songs, which is rather more glum, or at least searching and reflective about why too much time got wasted in a long, nowhere love affair.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 20 June 2025
Returning to work and dealing with strict COVID-19 protocols, inflation and supply-chain issues, crews could be glum.
—Steve Knopper, Billboard, 9 June 2025
Losses weren’t quite as dire as on Thursday for media and tech stocks, but the morning still signaled a glum end to a turbulent week.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for glum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glum
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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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
-
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
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Volunteers became depressed, irritable, anxious, and withdrawn.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
18 Oct. 2025
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Jeffrey Rignall died in 2000 In the wake of Gacy’s attack, Rignall became depressed and withdrawn, suffering from bouts of vomiting and losing nearly 40 pounds, per The Courier Journal.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Emery was irritable at full time.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Additionally, Owens’ youngest child, Titus, who was just a toddler when his mother died, was confused, irritable and inconsolable in the weeks after her death, Dias shared.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
19 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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Following Dombrowski’s comments and his belief that Harper is unhappy with his current contract situation, Sherman opened the door to a potential offseason trade that sends Harper elsewhere.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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People who will be sent there include those who let their poor unhappy doggies bark endlessly, those who throw trash on the beach and those who hunt exotic animals for sport.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Malcolm is only getting drunker and more sullen as the reception progresses.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
10 Oct. 2025
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Mark, with his fighting regimen, is a lot to handle, but so is Dawn, who’s a rather sullen party-girl princess.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Glum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glum. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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