somber

[som-ber] / ˈsɒm bər /

ADJECTIVE

sad, depressing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bleak dark dull earnest funereal gloomy grim melancholy mournful sedate serious sober solemn weighty

WEAK

black blue caliginous cloudy depressive dim dingy dire dismal dispiriting doleful down drab dragged dreary dusky grave hurting joyless lugubrious murky no-nonsense obscure sepulchral shadowy shady sourpuss staid tenebrous

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bright cheerful encouraging excited flippant funny happy hopeful joyful light lively luminous sunny trivial unimportant unserious vivacious

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.

In it, Rousseau acknowledged that it was a "somber day" for his organisation.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

In some instances he reutilizes his usual lively palette, and at others shifts into more somber tones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

The somber moments were well of the heart.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

During the last congress, in 2021, a somber Kim admitted to economic failures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

As I jumped up, I glimpsed the somber tombstones all around me.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney