Definitions

dreary

[dreer-ee] / ˈdrɪər i /

ADJECTIVE

gloomy, lifeless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bleak boring colorless damp depressing dingy dismal drab dull forlorn humdrum lonely monotonous sad somber tedious uneventful uninteresting windy wintry wretched

WEAK

black blah cheerless comfortless depressive dispiriting doleful downcast funereal glum joyless lonesome melancholy mournful oppressive pedestrian raw routine sorrowful wearisome

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bright cheerful colorful encouraging eventful exciting glad happy hopeful interesting joyful light lively nice pleasant

WEAK

clear

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.

The Gray Lady’s dreary Luddites are as suspicious of Times management as they are of Silicon Valley.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

It is 9 p.m. on a dreary night in Shadow Hills, just miles away from the lush foothills of the Verdugo Mountains.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Trust me when I say that this pasta is the perfect meal to end a dreary, months-long hibernation and welcome spring with open arms.

From Salon • May 1, 2026

There’s nothing quite as dreary as a baseball team that takes itself out of contention before kids get out of school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

I lodged in a dreary overpriced inn crouching in the lee of the Towers.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Vocabulary lists containing dreary

100 SAT Words Beginning with "D"

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This Week in Words: September 4 - 8, 2017

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Charlotte's Web

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