View synonyms for drear

drear

[ dreer ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

, Literary.

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Origin of drear¹

First recorded in 1620–30; back formation from dreary

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Twas still but gray abroad––a drear dawn: promising a belated, sullen day.

The streets were “deserted and drear,” and, of course, unlighted—the late Confederacy had no gas and no oil.

I seem suddenly lifted out of a drear monotony of unchanging days, back to a life of extraordinary vitality and promise.

Even then—in that tense moment, the drear anguish of yesterday surged like a wave through my mind; but, upon it a gleam of hope.

Captain Cavendish, expressing his gratitude once more, lounged into the drear and foggy night.

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