Definitions

dreary

[dreer-ee] / ˈdrɪər i /

ADJECTIVE

gloomy, lifeless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bleak boring colorless damp depressing dingy dismal drab dull forlorn humdrum lonely monotonous sad somber tedious uneventful uninteresting windy wintry wretched

WEAK

black blah cheerless comfortless depressive dispiriting doleful downcast funereal glum joyless lonesome melancholy mournful oppressive pedestrian raw routine sorrowful wearisome

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bright cheerful colorful encouraging eventful exciting glad happy hopeful interesting joyful light lively nice pleasant

WEAK

clear

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.

He managed his way through all of that, even when his team were putting in dreary performances.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Trust me when I say that this pasta is the perfect meal to end a dreary, months-long hibernation and welcome spring with open arms.

From Salon • May 1, 2026

A great World Cup game is like nothing else, but this is a freshly expanded World Cup, from 32 to 48 teams, a major leap which will likely increase the number of dreary games.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

Just a month after he dropped “Lonely,” Bieber returned to his teen-idol woes — far less movingly, alas — in this dreary duet with Shawn Mendes.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Only a sliver of sunlight cracked through the closed drapes, making the room feel dreary.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Vocabulary lists containing dreary

100 SAT Words Beginning with "D"

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This Week in Words: September 4 - 8, 2017

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Charlotte's Web

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