DREAR Synonyms: 227 Similar and Opposite Words

drear 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdrir

Definition of drear

as in bleak

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer it was a drear morning in January when I went to take my driving test

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sad

causing unhappiness a barren and drear existence in a remote village

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

drear

2 of 2

noun

as in moroseness

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of drear

Adjective

As the world begins to emerge from the drear of winter, kids especially are looking to get out of the house. — Lynne Sullivan, The Providence Journal, 14 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drear

Adjective

Unlike Gregor Samsa who is confined to his room after transforming into a huge insect, the protagonist still has to go to work, a dark and bleak absurdity that lays bare the alienation, isolation, and hypocrisy of modern life.

— Deadline, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Providing a faint ray of hope in this otherwise bleak start to life, the five baby orangutans have been settling into their new surroundings in Odisha at the Nandankanan Zoo.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of bleak

Adjective

When the modern-day world has nothing to offer us but AI slop, shrinkflation and a sad acceptance that we can't be bothered to do anything about global warming.

— Ian Stokes, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2026
This island that was so fantastic has become Work Island and that’s sad.

— Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of sad

Noun

Before the constant stream of sarcastic Ultron commentary wears out its welcome around the series’ halfway point, the bad guy’s brevity is a nice counterpoint to all of the sentient ennui.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
From sickness and ennui came the writing of an algorithm that would solve the underlying mathematics of the bomb.

— Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of ennui

Noun

That tedium could result in companies pushing uninspired and buggy products.

— Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 23 Sep. 2026
This is a filmmaker who simply doesn’t know when to stop, as also evidenced by the film’s bloated 142-minute running time that lets narrative tedium set in.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of tedium

Adjective

In these situations, withdrawing into a literal or symbolic dark room—avoiding sources of stress and going to a safe place—can be adaptive in the short term.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Connie Britton and Sam Nivola lead the series created by Nick Paley that blends mystery, dark comedy and the awkwardness of adolescence.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of dark

Browse Nearby Words

dreamy

drear

drearily

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Style

“Drear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drear. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of drear

adjective

noun

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