BLEAKLY Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

bleakly

adverb

Definition of bleakly

as in darkly

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

as in somberly

Related Words

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 bleakly Such is life under late-stage capitalism, Handler tells us, rather bleakly. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026 That means there’s nowhere to go and almost no arc from beginning to end, but that doesn’t make the results of this scuzzy satire any less bleakly invigorating. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026 This bleakly entertaining crime thriller, adapted from Cormac McCarthy's novel of the same name, is an essential Coen brothers text. — Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026 Robinson is warmly theological where Ishiguro is bleakly philosophical, lyrically expansive where Ishiguro is almost blandly lucid. — James Wood, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 In one panel, children maimed or exhausted by labor stare out bleakly; in another, unemployed men in a small industrial town sit or stand around. — Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026 On the sixth day of the new year, normally a bleakly depressing time for corporate employees, Enhypen had a treat in store for their fans. — Irene Kim, Vogue, 16 Jan. 2026 Pulling all the threads together, Donald Tusk, Poland’s prime minister and a key international ally of Ukraine, saw things bleakly. — Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025 Where other projects have found success discussing the same notions bleakly, Etzler trusts his sardonic approach will tempt audiences to let their guards down and allow the subject matter to resonate, perhaps looking inward at their own complicity in the process. — Holly Jones, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bleakly

Adverb

This is darkly poetic, a tragedy delivered like a nursery rhyme.

— Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
Absurd and darkly humorous drama, offering an unconventional take on aging, loneliness and human dignity.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of darkly

Adverb

Some Virginia universities have quietly been taking steps to provide scholarships to descendants, as required under a 2021 state law.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Opening quietly in 880 North American theaters from Sony Pictures is Taika Waititi‘s Klara and the Sun, which made $300,000 and heads to around $725,000 for the weekend.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of quietly

Adverb

The 49ers leaned heavily on McCaffrey on their opening touchdown drive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, North Korea has been adding mines, barbed wire fences, tactical roads, anti-tank walls and other fortifications to what's already one of the world's most heavily armed borders.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of heavily

Browse Nearby Words

bleak

bleakly

bleakness

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“Bleakly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bleakly. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bleakly

adverb

Example Sentences

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