variants
also elegiacal
as in depressing
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Barry Levitt, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2024
Many awards forecasters had the elegiac anthem pegged as a frontrunner for the Best Original Song award.
—EW.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Part memoir, part reportage, Thompson’s book is not only an elegiac tribute to a child whose life was cut short too soon, but also a searing indictment of the system that enabled the lynching and the subsequent cover-up.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2024
Scorsese films are rarely elegiac, but Sheeran serves as not just an entry point into the mob but also a way to understand that there are no heroes — or anti-heroes — among this den of thieves.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for elegiac
Adjective
But as Tanaka’s melodramatic and elegiac film shows us, beauty often comes from the most unexpected places.
—Barry Levitt, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2024
Many awards forecasters had the elegiac anthem pegged as a frontrunner for the Best Original Song award.
—EW.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Part memoir, part reportage, Thompson’s book is not only an elegiac tribute to a child whose life was cut short too soon, but also a searing indictment of the system that enabled the lynching and the subsequent cover-up.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2024
Scorsese films are rarely elegiac, but Sheeran serves as not just an entry point into the mob but also a way to understand that there are no heroes — or anti-heroes — among this den of thieves.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for elegiac
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elegiac
Adjective
-
That depressing fact gets reiterated many times, without much variation or additional insight, during Running Point’s 10-episode season.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 Feb. 2025
-
In this new techno-dating reality, the number of fights sparked by clothes being left on the floor would dramatically decrease, instead being replaced by not-at-all depressing scenes of men standing alone in their apartments talking to a speaker.—
Nic Juarez,
Vulture,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Researchers were surprised that the decrease in depressive symptoms was on par or even more significant than the reductions documented in studies of people taking antidepressant medications.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Tragically, they are killed by their mother, who drowns them in a manic depressive episode while their father is away on business.—
Nicole Briese,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In fact, the opening moments play out like an elegy for the whole nation: a school boarded up, with empty corridors and empty classrooms.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2025
-
As photographed by Austin Shelton, the widescreen images — and even the vertical TikTok videos braided alongside — convey a hopeful vision of their future, more fresh start than elegy.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
March brings his Everyman charisma to the part of Dr. Jekyll, a scientist with a morbid fascination with the goodness and evil of humanity.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The performance will feature a morbid dose of puppetry, clowning, dance, live music and stop-motion animation.—
Jennifer Day,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
This lack of resolution taps into the brain’s natural drive for cognitive closure, which according to 2014 study, is the innate desire to resolve ambiguity and make sense of unfinished experiences.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
This eatery at the summit of Cannon’s tramway offers cafeteria food, grab-and-go options, and, most notably, the highest-elevation beer taps in the state of New Hampshire.—
Sarah Cahalan,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Never mind that, by an accident of political timing, so many theater creatives as well as so much of the audience is feeling funereal.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The song, originally light and airy, now sounds almost funereal, as Faithfull’s voice comes close to cracking.—
Robert Levine,
Billboard,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Ethel Cain: Perverts [Daughters of Cain] Ethel Cain found unlikely pop fandom with Preacher’s Daughter, her 2022 debut album, thanks to its emotional dirges and heavy lyrics.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
10 Jan. 2025
-
The hand drums, played here by Keith, make this one spooky dirge.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
19 July 2024
Adjective
-
Bridges’ Slow Magic, due April 12 in record stores and April 11 online, is a deeply enjoyable collection that unearths the stoned camaraderie of some profoundly chill Wednesday-night hangouts.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
-
But while the vibe of your home gym might be chill, your programming shouldn’t be—and research shows that any well-rounded workout routine should include weight training.—
Erin Bunch,
SELF,
13 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elegiac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elegiac. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share