variants
or sombre
1
as in darkened
being without light or without much light
the prison's somber interrogation room has the desired effect of striking fear and despair into the prisoner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the somber occasion of a dear friend's funeral
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of somber
Hancock’s visit came at a somber time for his alma mater.
—
Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit today to the 9/11 memorial was a somber moment.
—Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, the night’s after-parties continued, though organizers attempted a more somber tone.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Although the ceremony was somber, in the minutes leading up to it, music played and people dressed in orange, bright yellow and black exchanged hugs and laughs.
—Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for somber
Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit today to the 9/11 memorial was a somber moment.
—Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, the night’s after-parties continued, though organizers attempted a more somber tone.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Although the ceremony was somber, in the minutes leading up to it, music played and people dressed in orange, bright yellow and black exchanged hugs and laughs.
—Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
-
In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
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As scientists often find darkened teeth in ancient burials, other factors can contribute to a black appearance, notably the chewing of betel leaves.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At first glance, AI companions for lonely seniors can seem dystopian, looking less like innovation than a bleak sign of social failure.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
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Things are impossibly bleak for the Rockets, which were without Kevin Durant for the second game this series.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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All the bedrooms can be found upstairs, including one that’s currently being used as an office and a primary suite flaunting dual dressing rooms and baths, plus a sauna clad in dark gray stone.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Inspired by the most recent decade of killings of unarmed Black men by police, the seven prints selected from Henry’s series draw upon the sculptural pathos and solemn formalities of Michelangelo’s Pietà di San Pietro.—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
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While it’s meant to be a solemn moment, was that uncomfortable for you as a comedian?—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But beyond its account of a family in flight, from both the authorities and its own murkier truths, Dangerous, Dirty, Violent and Young interrogates the radicalism of the 1960s and 70s, its unlikely alliances, its political legacies, and its many, many casualties along the way.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Most people have come to terms with that, but things get murkier in the realm of AI.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Floyd’s sincerity, the startling extremity of his concern for the comfort of others, snaps Clark out of his depressed, and depressing, complacency.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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That’s already a depressing number.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Treating depressive symptoms without looking at factors such as childhood trauma, the loss of a loved one, or being laid off from a job is an incomplete approach, many mental health researchers and clinicians say.—
Aneri Pattani,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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But its depressive effect can harm mental health, physical health, and personal relationships.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If your friend is lonely or struggling to establish her identity without her sister living in the house, time with friends and time intentionally getting to know herself will be more productive.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The couple didn’t want Polly to be lonely.—
Eric Adler
April 26,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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