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View synonyms for

bleak

1

[bleek]

adjective

bleaker, bleakest 
  1. bare, desolate, and often windswept.

    a bleak plain.

  2. cold and piercing; raw.

    a bleak wind.

  3. without hope or encouragement; depressing; dreary.

    a bleak future.



bleak

2

[bleek]

noun

  1. a European freshwater fish, Alburnus alburnus, having scales with a silvery pigment that is used in the production of artificial pearls.

bleak

1

/ ː /

adjective

  1. exposed and barren; desolate

  2. cold and raw

  3. offering little hope or excitement; dismal

    a bleak future

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

bleak

2

/ ː /

noun

  1. any slender silvery European cyprinid fish of the genus Alburnus , esp A. lucidus , occurring in slow-flowing rivers

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • bleakish adjective
  • bleakly adverb
  • bleakness noun
  • ˈ𲹰 adverb
  • ˈ𲹰Ա noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of bleak1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English bleke “pale,” blend of variants bleche ( Old English ǣ ) and blake ( Old English ); both cognate with Old Norse bleikr, German bleich; akin to bleach

Origin of bleak2

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English bleke, noun use of bleke ‼”; bleak 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of bleak1

Old English bright, pale; related to Old Norse bleikr white, Old High German bleih pale

Origin of bleak2

C15: probably from Old Norse bleikja white colour; related to Old High German bleiche bleach
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Synonym Study

See austere.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“The Life of Chuck” doesn’t confront the audience with the bleak realities of modern life to change their minds and open their hearts; it uses our dread against us.

From

But now as the year approaches its halfway point, a bleaker saying seems apt: “Exist ’til ’26.”

From

So long as Latinos remain silenced, ostracized and relegated to the periphery in conversations about the future of this nation, that future remains bleak.

From

Without Matthews, West Indies' batting hopes were already bleak and in bowler-friendly conditions, England dominated as expected.

From

Against a bang average Iceland, Clarke's Scotland were meek, weak and bleak.

From

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