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

Cue the synthetic flute chords of “Veridis Quo,” scoring their mutual melancholy.

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2026

This melancholy acknowledgment of hair-trigger anger isn’t limited to healthcare.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

That elegant dance matches what we see on stage, the kabuki performances melding melancholy and beauty, anguish and catharsis.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

The stillness of the tent becomes a quiet melancholy.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

melancholy

Example Sentences

Related Words