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Showing results for bleak. Search instead for bleak /7.
Definitions

bleak

[bleek] / blik /
ADJECTIVE
barren
Synonyms
STRONGEST
austere desolate dreary grim
STRONG
comfortless forbidding harsh lonely
WEAK
bare blank blighted cold desert deserted exposed flat gaunt godforsaken inhospitable open raw unpopulated unsheltered unwelcoming weather-beaten wild windswept
Antonyms
STRONG
hospitable
WEAK
pleasant
ADJECTIVE
depressing, hopeless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
black cheerless dark dismal grim hopeless sad
STRONG
discouraging dreary gloomy somber
WEAK
comfortless disheartening drear funereal hard joyless melancholy mournful oppressive unpromising
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright cheerful encouraging glad happy hopeful joyful light pleasant sunny
WEAK
appealing comfortable comforting congenial nice

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The commentariat’s bleak verdict depends on lazy readings of recent history.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The situation has felt particularly bleak in L.A.,

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

The sun was rising early Monday on another bleak day for markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Separated from the Premier League's relegation zone only on goal difference and on their fourth manager of the season, things have been fairly bleak at the City Ground.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

The future was so bleak, Nhamo refused to think about it.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.