somber

9 synonyms and 5 antonyms for somber, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adjective — Serious, gloomy and without cheerfulness, in a way that suits grief or bad news.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

grave

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

solemn sober melancholy muted

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

downcast sombre drab shadowy

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adjective

Serious, gloomy and without cheerfulness, in a way that suits grief or bad news.

“The mood in the room turned somber once the results came through.”

grave solemn sober melancholy downcast sombre drab

Opposites

cheerful lighthearted buoyant

2. adjective

Dark, dull or muted in colour or light.

“Somber grey suits filled the church.”

muted drab shadowy

Opposites

bright vivid

How to use somber

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

somber mood somber tone somber colours strike a somber note

Slightly literary but common in journalism.

Etymology

From French 'sombre', meaning dark or gloomy, ultimately from Latin 'sub umbra', 'under shade'.

Full origin of somber →

Frequently asked questions

Is it somber or sombre?

Both spellings are standard for the same word: 'somber' in American English and 'sombre' in British and most Commonwealth English. The pronunciation is identical.

What is the difference between somber and solemn?

Solemn describes weight and formality, and can be entirely positive, as at a wedding or a ceremony. Somber adds gloom: a somber occasion is not just serious but sad or heavy.

People also searched

bright grave sober vivid cheerful solemn melancholy muted lighthearted downcast drab sombre

Nearby words

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