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Definitions

melancholy

[mel-uhn-kol-ee] / ˈmɛl ənˌkɒl i /
ADJECTIVE
depressed, sad
Synonyms
STRONGEST
gloomy grim mournful pensive somber sorrowful trite wistful
STRONG
blue down downbeat downcast low moody
WEAK
dejected despondent destroyed disconsolate dismal dispirited doleful dolorous down and out down in the dumps down in the mouth downhearted dragged droopy funereal glum heavy-hearted in blue funk joyless lachrymose low-spirited lugubrious mirthless miserable moony saddened saddening sorry torn-up unhappy wet blanket woebegone woeful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright cheerful happy joyful sunny
STRONG
above decent gay heartened
NOUN
depression, sadness
Synonyms
STRONGEST
boredom despair desperation despondency ennui gloom grief sorrow wistfulness
STRONG
blahs blues bummer dejection dolor downer dumps funk gloominess letdown miserableness misery mopes mournfulness pensiveness tedium unhappiness woe wretchedness
WEAK
blue devils blue funk dismals dolefuls down trip low spirits
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheer confidence excitement happiness joy
STRONG
advantage benefit blessing boon gladness joyousness

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.

"My life is a broken roller coaster, but maybe I'm the only one to blame," they sing on the melancholy Merry Go Round.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

He scored a Top 20 hit in 2012 with the melancholy single Overload.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Not all makeovers were created equal: Some were in service to disappearing, others to fitting in; some were manic and others melancholy.

From Salon • Jan. 17, 2026

The book is about the dangers of monstrous appetites but also about the melancholy of unrealized desires.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

I begin strumming the melancholy tune on my guitar, and after a while, I say, “Teach me more of that song you sang for me the other day.”

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar

Vocabulary lists containing melancholy

"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

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I Am Malala

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Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 3

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