1
as in depressing
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
a bleak outlook for the team for the rest of the season
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
it was a dark and bleak wintry day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in chilly
uncomfortably cool
a bleak December morning
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bleak
The White Lotus has never been subtle in its disdain for the rich, but it’s never been this bleak before, either.
—
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
Image The dating scene isn’t the only thing that’s bleak.
—Alexandra Tanner, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
The situation seems bleak, but Frankie finds a lifeline in an unexpected place when a woman calling herself Paige (Renee Gagner) approaches her at a trauma support group.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
The rest of the night wasn’t so bleak, but the ominous start did accurately forecast the result.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
Image The dating scene isn’t the only thing that’s bleak.
—Alexandra Tanner, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
The situation seems bleak, but Frankie finds a lifeline in an unexpected place when a woman calling herself Paige (Renee Gagner) approaches her at a trauma support group.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
The rest of the night wasn’t so bleak, but the ominous start did accurately forecast the result.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bleak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleak
Adjective
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This Sunday’s finale marks the end of a bizarre, depressing, and sometimes extremely funny show about a family like none other.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2025
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That’s been really fascinating and depressing and dispiriting to see.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Interesting, turbulent life (including 22 years in prison).—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
14 Apr. 2025
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Overanalyzing every win and loss will make your journey feel more turbulent than necessary.—
Nelson Chu,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The players flung t-shirts and candies into the crowds that gathered along their rout, showing off their trophy and waving to children bundled in Husky hats with jerseys layered on top of sweatshirts to brave the chilly afternoon.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
13 Apr. 2025
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Carla Rockmore Collection Cotton Canvas Swing Jacket Keep a canvas swing jacket like this Carla Rockmore style in spring wardrobe rotations for an extra layer of warmth on chilly nights.—
Ali Faccenda,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The mood at the event was anything but somber, though.—
Kristen Bateman,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2025
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A lot of emotions — excitement and rejuvenation about joining a new team but also reflective and somber about his tenure in Boston coming to an end.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The agency recalled that between 2022 and 2024, around 60% of annual admissions for severe acute malnutrition occurred during the rainy season, meaning that up to 462,000 children could be affected this year if the trend holds.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Areas affected by the Harmattan experience significant dryness, unlike the rainy season when the monsoon wind (from the south) prevails.—
Christophe Lavaysse,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But the vampires’ descent on the juke joint ups the suspense and becomes genuinely scary, at first with the unsettling charm of their ancient leader, Remmick (Jack O’Connell, chilling), and eventually the brutal carnage of their siege.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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This will have a chilling effect for founders and innovators in the crypto/digital asset space looking to build infrastructure, particularly involving privacy preserving technology.—
Andrea Tinianow,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Editor’s tip: Niacinamide is a multitasker that blurs the look of dark spots, evens your skin tone, and balances your complexion.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
15 Apr. 2025
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And so by some sociologists, camp is thought to be this form of dark humor serving as a coping mechanism to historical marginalization.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But life is full of surprises, and Seong-ho Jang’s Angel Studios effort begins with Ebenezer Scrooge confronting the scary revelations shown to him by the Ghost of Christmas Future in a snowy graveyard.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
11 Apr. 2025
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The company revealed the recent successful birth of three snowy white dire wolf puppies – an animal that was extinct.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bleak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleak. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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