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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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
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
The cinematic and melancholy video follows Gomez around a studio lot, seemingly reflecting on her life of young stardom.
—Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2025
There’s a strange way, too, in which the goofiness reinforces the melancholy at the heart of his joke, a yearning for an entire range of interactions that have fallen to the wayside in a world that doesn’t have use for them.
—Ismail Muhammad, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melancholy
Adjective
But even without Anthony Davis, even without Max Christie and even without Doncic, who is still recovering from a calf injury, the Lakers looked like a team still intent on accomplishing that mission, melancholy or not.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
The cinematic and melancholy video follows Gomez around a studio lot, seemingly reflecting on her life of young stardom.
—Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
But where Knight of Cups often drifts along in a generalized fog of melancholy, Blanchett actually makes the film’s lament for shattered relationships and thwarted potential actually hurt.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2025
There’s a strange way, too, in which the goofiness reinforces the melancholy at the heart of his joke, a yearning for an entire range of interactions that have fallen to the wayside in a world that doesn’t have use for them.
—Ismail Muhammad, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for melancholy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melancholy
Adjective
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Yet, whatever the deal means for Paul, Weiss, its acquiescence to Trump marks a sad day for the legal profession—or what once was a profession, and is now just another business.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2025
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Kwong grew up hearing stories of every kind about Manzanar—scary, sad, funny and infuriating.—
Rachel Ng,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Meantime, brands that have thus far managed to weather a wider luxury downturn and depressed consumer spending, such as Hermes , could be best placed to pass on price rises.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2025
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However, the knock-on effects — namely, depressed U.S. consumer spending and a pullback in ad budgets — would clearly cut into Hollywood’s profits, according to analysts.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The pair both showed up to their second date on the beach with thoughtful gifts and eventually shared their first kiss before Tyler met Madison's family.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
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This is a complex matter requiring thoughtful consideration and a long-term perspective.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Some people thought that was too depressing or whatever.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Many learned the depressing answer only when trying to scan badges and getting rejected by security, which treated them more or less like trespassers.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Despite his close relationship with Trump, Elon Musk is unhappy about tariffs, which stand to hurt the business empire of the world’s richest man.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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There have even been reports of police being called to deal with the rowdy behavior, not to mention some theater employees who are unhappy about the cleanup required.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The bumpy welcome was reflective of Mr. Bessent’s first few months in what might be the most difficult job in Washington.—
Alan Rappeport,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
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The glass is highly reflective, and the screen simply doesn’t get bright enough to combat direct sunlight, making outdoor visibility a challenge.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Importance of Early Intervention The researchers say their findings underscore the need for early intervention and support for women who suffer from depression.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
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He was diagnosed with PTSD, depression, panic attacks, and anxiety stemming from his work in 2017.—
Audrey Conklin,
Fox News,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Season four will be the last for The Righteous Gemstones, and there are signs in this mournful (and vulgar/hilarious) episode that this extremely American empire may be going the way of Kelvin’s treehouse.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Melancholy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melancholy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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