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Antonyms for bleak

Grammar : Adj
Spell : bleek
Phonetic Transcription : blik


Definition of bleak

Origin :
  • c.1300, "pale," from Old Norse bleikr "pale, whitish, blond," from Proto-Germanic *blaika- "shining, white," from PIE root *bhel- (1) "to shine, flash, burn" (see bleach (v.)). Later "bare, windswept" (1530s). Sense of "cheerless" is c.1719 figurative extension. The same Germanic root produced Old English blac "pale," but this died out, probably from confusion with blæc "black;" however bleak persisted, with a sense of "bare" as well as "pale."
  • adj barren
  • adj depressing
Example sentences :
  • He stood off from us with his arms folded and his face was as bleak as a winter-bitten wood.
  • Extract from : « The Trail Book » by Mary Austin
  • The morning was cold, and a strong wind swept the bleak hills.
  • Extract from : « King Philip » by John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott
  • A dense forest was behind them, the bleak ocean before them.
  • Extract from : « King Philip » by John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott
  • His bleak face looked soft and his deep voice had a slight tremor.
  • Extract from : « The Christian » by Hall Caine
  • In front the day-break was bursting the confines of the bleak racks of cloud.
  • Extract from : « A Son of Hagar » by Sir Hall Caine
  • It was raining, the long stretches of salt marsh were windswept and brown and bleak.
  • Extract from : « The Portygee » by Joseph Crosby Lincoln
  • Only bleak, black and gray hills of rock and rubble were there, no cars, no life.
  • Extract from : « Pleasant Journey » by Richard F. Thieme
  • "It's about as bleak a place for a house as a man could pick," Lambert agreed.
  • Extract from : « The Duke Of Chimney Butte » by G. W. Ogden
  • Sunday was bleak and stormy, and no one stirred out of the house.
  • Extract from : « The Market-Place » by Harold Frederic
  • The mountains were devoid of vegetation, bleak and bare and black.
  • Extract from : « The Coyote » by James Roberts

Synonyms for bleak

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019