joyless

[joi-lis] / ˈdʒɔɪ lɪs /

ADJECTIVE

unhappy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bleak dejected depressing dismal downcast dreary miserable

WEAK

black blue cheerless depressant depressed dispirited dispiriting doleful down in the mouth dragged droopy gloomy have the blahs heavy low melancholic melancholy mopey mournful sad saddening somber

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bright cheerful elated encouraging glad happy light pleasant

WEAK

delighted joyful

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.

joyless

Those aren’t the decisions of a joyless generation.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

That’s not to say it was an entirely joyless event.

From Slate ● Jul. 1, 2026

Shrinking perks and growing fears about AI are turning offices into joyless places.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 4, 2026

Leadership sets the tone, and right now that tone feels tense and joyless.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 21, 2026

The grin on his face is fixed, joyless, grim.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins