variants
or sombre
1
: so shaded as to be dark and gloomy
2
b
: of a dismal or depressing character : melancholy
c
: conveying gloomy suggestions or ideas
3
: of a dull or heavy cast or shade : dark colored
somberly
adverb
somberness
noun
Examples of somber in a Sentence
Looking out at his audience, a somber mass of monks, Gregory gave Mary a new identity that would shape her image for fourteen hundred years.
—
Jonathan Darman, Newsweek, 29 May 2006
This year marks a somber anniversary—it was 150 years ago that humans wiped out the last survivors of this species. A relative of the razorbills and puffins, and about the size of a small goose, the great auk was black-bodied with a white underbelly, and walked erect, like a penguin.
—Bill Montevecchi, Natural History, August 1994
The purple darkness was filled with men who lectured and jabbered. Sometimes he could see them gesticulating against the blue and somber sky.
—Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1895
Her death put us in a somber mood.
The movie is a somber portrait of life on the streets.
He wore a somber suit.
Jonathan Darman, Newsweek, 29 May 2006
This year marks a somber anniversary—it was 150 years ago that humans wiped out the last survivors of this species. A relative of the razorbills and puffins, and about the size of a small goose, the great auk was black-bodied with a white underbelly, and walked erect, like a penguin.
—Bill Montevecchi, Natural History, August 1994
The purple darkness was filled with men who lectured and jabbered. Sometimes he could see them gesticulating against the blue and somber sky.
—Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage, 1895
Her death put us in a somber mood.
The movie is a somber portrait of life on the streets.
He wore a somber suit.
Recent Examples on the Web
Among the greater Eilish team, the sentiment is that of a somber parting, but there remains great respect and appreciation for the tremendous successes, milestones and memories shared with Rukasin and Goodman.
—Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2025
The Opening Day festivities in the Bronx took on a somber tone Thursday as the Yankees honored the late son of former outfielder Brett Gardner.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2025
Expand All Sergio Pino’s attorney and family members appeared somber as they were relegated behind police tape along with reporters and TV crews on a muggy morning in Coral Gables as the FBI raided the prominent developer’s house on Tuesday.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Field’s somber, clear-eyed Sonya has ardent desires but few illusions.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
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Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2025
The Opening Day festivities in the Bronx took on a somber tone Thursday as the Yankees honored the late son of former outfielder Brett Gardner.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2025
Expand All Sergio Pino’s attorney and family members appeared somber as they were relegated behind police tape along with reporters and TV crews on a muggy morning in Coral Gables as the FBI raided the prominent developer’s house on Tuesday.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Field’s somber, clear-eyed Sonya has ardent desires but few illusions.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for somber
Cite this Entry
“Somber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/somber. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
somber
adjective
som·ber
variants
or sombre
1
: so shaded as to be dark and gloomy
2
: melancholy entry 2 sense 1, grave
a somber mood
3
: dull or dark colored
somberly
adverb
somberness
noun
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