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

The New York Knicks spent the first two decades of this 21st century being as dreary and miserable a franchise as there was in basketball.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

Wait, these aren’t the dreary, soul-sucking 76ers America was promised!

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 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

Every night we stay in the same dreary kind of motel off the highway, with a TV bolted to the wall and multiple locks on the door.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

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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