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Definitions

sombre

ADJECTIVE
black
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dismal gloomy
STRONG
depressing depressive dispiriting distressing
WEAK
bleak doleful dreary funereal grim hopeless horrible lugubrious morose mournful ominous oppressive sad somber
Antonyms
WEAK
happy hopeful optimistic
ADJECTIVE
black
Synonyms
STRONGEST
sunless unlighted unlit
STRONG
pitch-dark starless stygian
WEAK
clouded murky shadowy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright sunny
ADJECTIVE
lackluster
Synonyms
STRONGEST
boring flat ho-hum muted uninspired
WEAK
blah blind colorless dark dead dim drab draggy dry laid-back leaden lusterless matte nothing obscure pabulum prosaic unimaginative vanilla vapid zero
Antonyms
WEAK
bright enthusiastic lively shining shiny spirited
ADJECTIVE
mournful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anguished forlorn sad
WEAK
bereft cheerless depressed disconsolate distressing doleful dolent full of sorrow grief-stricken grieving grievous heartbroken in mourning in pain in sorrow lamentable pitiful woeful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful happy joyful
ADJECTIVE
onyx
Synonyms
STRONG
brunet charcoal coal ebony jet jetty obsidian pitch raven sable slate sloe
WEAK
atramentous clouded dingy dusky ebon inklike inky livid melanoid murky piceous pitch-black pitch-dark pitchy shadowy somber sooty starless stygian swart swarthy
Antonyms
STRONG
white
ADJECTIVE
pitch-black
Synonyms
WEAK
atramentous charcoal clouded coal ebon ebony inklike inky jet jetty livid murky obsidian onyx piceous pitch pitch-dark raven sable shadowy slate somber sooty starless stygian
ADJECTIVE
pitchy
Synonyms
WEAK
atramentous brunet charcoal clouded coal dingy dusky ebon ebony inklike inky jet jetty livid melanoid murky obsidian onyx piceous pitch pitch-black pitch-dark raven sable shadowy slate sloe somber sooty starless stygian swart swarthy

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.

Easter celebrations are shaping up to be sombre for Christians in the Middle East.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

It's a sombre end to our time together.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

"When I came last time and went back to the hotel for breakfast it was so sombre and quiet," she said.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

"It will be a very sombre celebration… deeply sad and sorrowful but it will also acknowledge their heritage and their culture."

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

In the afternoon the dark clouds began to overtake them: a sombre canopy with great billowing edges flecked with dazzling light.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien