1
as in sad
causing unhappiness
the melancholy thought of having to say good-bye to all the friends he had made over the summer
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2
as in depressed
feeling unhappiness
they were a bit melancholy after their youngest child left for college
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3
as in thoughtful
given to or marked by long, quiet thinking
a melancholy period in the artist's life that is reflected in his work
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as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits
the bleakness of winter sometimes gives me cause for melancholy
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of melancholy
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2024
The melancholy video captures intimate moments where Payne and Cassidy are traveling the world, hugging, building Lego sets and, in the final image, sharing a kiss and a laugh.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Dec. 2024
Scott Phillips, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
But Adams often located a layer of melancholy beneath her characters’ sunny surfaces, and those early performances had a depth that now makes her versatility seem obvious.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for melancholy 
Adjective
Polish pianist Hania Rani’s shimmering score works as a reminder of the melancholy lurking just below the surface of the characters, accompanied by the ever-present sounds of nature: waves, wind, seabirds.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2024
The melancholy video captures intimate moments where Payne and Cassidy are traveling the world, hugging, building Lego sets and, in the final image, sharing a kiss and a laugh.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
There’s something about the darkness and melancholy of Irish dramas that give them a resonance all their own.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
But Adams often located a layer of melancholy beneath her characters’ sunny surfaces, and those early performances had a depth that now makes her versatility seem obvious.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for melancholy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melancholy
Adjective
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But nothing in life is sadder than a reality television person who doesn't know when to retire.—
Dana Rose Falcone,
People.com,
15 Jan. 2025
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Air France regrets this sad event and expresses its sincere condolences.—
Michael D. Carroll AND Theo Burman,
Newsweek,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Many people were really unhappy, depressed and angry, frustrated.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
9 Jan. 2025
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If Richard wanted to die, suicide-by-cop is sometimes a choice for those who are desperate and depressed.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And having more thoughtful conversations doesn’t preclude the need sometimes to confront those who are needlessly cruel or organizations that benefit from such exploitation.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
18 Jan. 2025
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Employers consistently emphasize the value of hiring individuals with a broad knowledge base who can collaborate to solve problems, engage in thoughtful debate, communicate clearly, and think critically—skills that liberal-arts programs rigorously cultivate.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The depressing part is that the smear campaign worked.—
Nicole Page,
IndieWire,
6 Jan. 2025
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In October, Lilium was scrambling for additional investments to keep the doors open and by late December the company announced that the only people still on the payroll would be handling the depressing job of liquidation.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Ratings declined, Lynch was unhappy, and the show was canceled.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
16 Jan. 2025
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Saquon Barkley is an unstoppable force, the defense is resurgent under Vic Fangio, the chatter about an unhappy A.J. Brown has mostly died down.—
Dianna Russini,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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For years, experts have noted that these measurements are not standardized, can vary by day and time, and are not reflective of a person's overall fluoride exposure.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
7 Jan. 2025
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Charly's playful knack for finding the best lounging spots is reflective of the breed's charming characteristics.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Healthcare providers report using similar dosages to the treatment of depression for RSD.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
14 Jan. 2025
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Specifically, The Family Dinner Project reports that, for kids, this practice is linked with better academic performance, higher self-esteem and a lower risk of depression, among other benefits.—
John Mac Ghlionn,
Newsweek,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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So, why not head next door — in a friendly way, not a mournful one — and express your natural curiosity?—
Philip Galanes,
New York Times,
1 Jan. 2025
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Her observations as a woman once romantically involved with the two of them at the same time, confirm their masculine inability to speak their feelings out loud unless they are veiled in mournful songs.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
28 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near melancholy
Cite this Entry
“Melancholy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melancholy. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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