ELEGIAC Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

elegiac 1 of 2

adjective

ˌe-lə-ˈjī-ək

variants also elegiacal

Definition of elegiac

as in somber

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the sight of an old ruined church or castle can be a pleasantly elegiac experience

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

elegiac

2 of 2

noun

as in monody

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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 elegiac

Adjective

An elegiac poem by Walt Whitman was published in newspapers around the country in July 1876. — New York Times, 28 June 2026 Despite the elegiac tone, Jill also devotes much of the book to the social side of being first lady. — Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 4 June 2026

Noun

There’s also something a little elegiac about it. — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elegiac

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elegiac

Adjective

Some are somber, like the single mom Mekko’s left in the lurch or a fellow journalist who prefers feel-good fluff pieces to muckraking.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
The trailer opens on the somber, grayscale world of London before entering the wild, psychedelic, and magical world of Narnia.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of somber

Noun

Her works are playful and often ironic, relentlessly experimental and not only genre-bending but form-bending, including Nox (New Directions, 2010), a box containing an accordioned elegy to her estranged brother after his death.

— Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Their books are therefore, in some respects, elegies to a conception of reading and writing which seems to be nearing an end.

— Louis Menand, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of elegy

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

Noun

The film’s turning point is a tragedy during a fight arranged by Frankie, making its second half more of a dirge than a sports film.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 26 Aug. 2026
Nobody wants to be subjected to one more triggering, off-key note of an Edwin Díaz dirge.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of dirge

Adjective

The spirituality throughout is imbued with a solemn reverence more Catholic than Baptist.

— Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
This production, solemn about our obligations to one another but committed to providing a good night out at the theater, is neither.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of solemn

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

elegantly

elegiac

elegiacs

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

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Synonyms of elegiac

adjective

noun

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