Find Antonyms

cheerful Antonyms

Opposite of cheerful

Because the opposite of cheerful shifts with each meaning, the 17 antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 2 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
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• adjective (Context 1)

Noticeably happy, optimistic, and in good spirits.

Usage Example

"Despite the rainy weather, the receptionist greeted every visitor with a gloomy smile."

Strongest
gloomy
melancholy
glum
miserable
despondent
Strong
morose
downcast
dejected
sad
sullen

• adjective (Context 2)

Causing happiness by its bright, pleasant, or welcoming nature or appearance.

Usage Example

"They painted the kitchen walls a cheerless yellow to brighten up the space."

Strongest
cheerless
dreary
dismal
bleak
gloomy
Strong
somber
drab
depressing

Similar words to cheerful

Words similar to cheerful shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:

cheery
upbeat
bright
merry
pleasant
happy
sunny
jolly
See all synonyms of cheerful

• Nearby Words

cheekiness
cheeky
cheer
cheerful
cheerfully
cheerfulness
cheerily

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Cheerful. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/cheerful
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