What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dismal
Example
The team's performance this season has been dismal. [dismal: adjective]
Example
She felt dismal after receiving the bad news. [dismal: adjective]
Example
It's been a dismal day with non-stop rain and clouds. [dismal: adjective]
bleak
Example
The town's economy is in a bleak state with high unemployment rates. [bleak: adjective]
Example
He faced a bleak future after losing his job and home. [bleak: adjective]
Example
The landscape was bleak and barren, with no signs of life. [bleak: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dismal is more commonly used than bleak in everyday language, and is more versatile in its usage. Bleak is less common and tends to be used in more specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dismal and bleak?
Both dismal and bleak are considered formal words and are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing.
