joyless

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 column contends this response reinforced perceptions that he is a joyless bureaucrat, not a person voters can relate to or trust with state leadership.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

MIAMI—Despite arriving with one of the greatest rosters ever assembled, Team USA found a way to make its time at the World Baseball Classic look rather joyless.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

When I say “budget better,” I don’t mean becoming stricter or joyless about food.

From Salon • Dec. 20, 2025

Zalaegerszeg in western Hungary does not get to join the hall of infamy, not after Scotland won a fairly joyless, but wholly professional, behind-closed-doors contest against Belarus.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2025

It was a daring, impulsive move on which the chaplain decided after quarreling with Corporal Whitcomb again and washing down with tepid canteen water his joyless lunch of a Milky Way and Baby Ruth.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller