variants
or sombre
1
as in darkened
being without light or without much light
the prison's somber interrogation room has the desired effect of striking fear and despair into the prisoner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in solemn
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the somber occasion of a dear friend's funeral
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of somber
Directed by Henri Alexander Levy, the greyscale video includes somber scenes of Future performing in a room lit with dozens of candles.
—
Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025
Michael Linville, New World Symphony’s Dean of Instrumental Performance, curated the program with the intention of balancing García’s somber meditation.
—Sean Erwin, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
The team was devastated for her, the postgame locker room, bus ride to the airport and trip to Washington for the next game as somber as witnesses had ever seen.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2025
The somber service, meant to honor the 43-year-old mother of four, was marred by multiple altercations, prompting police assigned to the Arverne, Queens church to step in.
—Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for somber 
Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025
Michael Linville, New World Symphony’s Dean of Instrumental Performance, curated the program with the intention of balancing García’s somber meditation.
—Sean Erwin, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
The team was devastated for her, the postgame locker room, bus ride to the airport and trip to Washington for the next game as somber as witnesses had ever seen.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2025
The somber service, meant to honor the 43-year-old mother of four, was marred by multiple altercations, prompting police assigned to the Arverne, Queens church to step in.
—Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for somber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somber
Adjective
-
Standing in front of the CIA Memorial Wall—the agency’s most important and solemn location—Trump offered remarks that resembled a campaign event, rambling from one random topic to another, including how big the crowds were at his inauguration.—
Peter Schroeder,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Seated beside the President-elect, who donned a dark suit and royal blue tie, Melania Trump appeared noticeably solemn.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
WWD,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Six students from Livingstone, clad in dark blue and black, lifted a weighted rope.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Yu Ting Yuan, the hotel's flagship restaurant, offers diners a contrasting tenor with its dark, brooding interior splashed with gold and blood red, fresh flower sprays of pussywillow, orchids, and amaryllis, and soaring ceilings.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Last Friday, a sullen Antonio Conte appeared in a funereal black hoodie for his weekly press conference.—
James Horncastle,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
-
Jon Stewart says Vice President Harris overseeing President-elect Trump’s electoral victory as a tally of states was read on the House floor Monday had a funereal feeling to it.—
Judy Kurtz,
The Hill,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
But even that link is murky: In the case of breast cancer, for instance, carrying excess weight only seems to be a risk factor after menopause, and not before (for reasons that aren’t known).—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Meanwhile, TikTok’s overall future in the United States is equally murky.—
Maria Sole Campinoti,
CNN,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Sadly, Jesse died in July 2024, leaving Ruben grief-stricken and lonely.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA TODAY,
28 Jan. 2025
-
The sun will undergo this process in around 5 billion years, ending its life as a lonely, cooling stellar ember.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
January 26, 2025: Once again, the Bills lose their playoff game against the Chiefs, sparking a bunch of sad Josh Allen edits on TikTok.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2025
-
In a sad irony, her grieving family strives to live by Maggie’s words and channel her spirit.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN,
26 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near somber
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somber. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share