lugubrious

adjective

lu̇-ˈgü-brē-əs How to pronounce lugubrious (audio)
Definition of lugubriousnext
1
as in somber
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the diner's dim lighting makes eating there a particularly lugubrious experience

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning in Victorian times, people who could affect particularly lugubrious expressions were hired to march in funeral processions as professional mourners

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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 lugubrious On occasion, especially as the film builds to its lugubrious finale, Mielants tries other tricks, simulating long tracking shots that seem to glide through the school and then out onto the grounds. — Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025 Some movie-goers love that sort of lugubrious, meditative filmmaking, some not so much, but either way — and to paraphrase Carly Simon — nobody does it better. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 28 June 2025 In one lugubrious sequence in which various members of Willie’s children’s generation take part in a pickleball tournament, the young men attempt to trash-talk one another. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2025 The lugubrious $190 million musical was a sad clown face on all fronts, cast into the dunk tank by critics and posting a D CinemaScore from audiences — the first comic-book title ever to earn such a low exit-poll grade. — Chris Lee, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for lugubrious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lugubrious
  1. somber
  2. mournful
  3. bleak
  4. weeping
  5. depressive
  6. funeral
  7. dark
  8. heartbroken
Adjective
  • The daughter of a brass tree guest told me that on the last day, her mother pulled her aside and offered a somber warning.
    — Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Miller's new ad opens with a somber sequence of close-ups of various people's faces as the congressman talks about how divorce affects families.
    — Lara Korte The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of somber
Adjective
  • The One About Matthew Perry, a three-part docuseries, out October 27 on Netflix, is more of a celebration of celebrate Perry’s life instead of a mournful tribute or true crime drama about his death and the headline-making trial that followed.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2026
  • East Suffolk, a windblown span of marshy coastland, has a reputation for stark, mournful beauty, and for drawing creative people with a taste for isolation and escape.
    — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of mournful
Adjective
  • Under Sorrells, morale at the office is bleak and has resulted in an exodus, according to two veteran prosecutors who left the office and spoke on the condition they not be identified.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Yet missing from this bleak picture are the ways that Ukraine has already adapted to escalating attacks.
    — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.
    — David Mamet, National Review, 11 Aug. 2022
  • The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.
    — Helen Shaw, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2021
Definition of weeping
Adjective
  • Comfort-seeking, in turn, tracked with fewer depressive symptoms.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Aerobic activities appear to improve mood and depressive symptoms, while mind-body activities benefit psychological quality of life.
    — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of depressive
Adjective
  • The broadcaster reported that more than a hundred people had gathered in and around the church for a funeral procession.
    — Mohamad El Chamaa, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Talking about wills, medical wishes, funeral arrangements or who will handle the finances if a parent becomes incapacitated can feel intrusive, particularly when a parent is still healthy and independent.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of funeral
Adjective
  • The ad is characteristic of the increasingly dark tone Hilton’s campaign has taken on in the home stretch.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Netanyahu's supporters see him as a steady hand and a consummate statesman who has led Israel through a war of redemption after the country's darkest hour.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • The woman never brought Melissa back, leaving a heartbroken Apantenco wondering what had become of her baby.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Mike Sweeney’s tutor Royals Hall of Famer Mike Sweeney was heartbroken to learn of Benzinger’s passing.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of heartbroken

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Cite this Entry

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

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