stygian

[ˈstɪdʒiən]

stygian Definition

• 1. very dark, gloomy, and forbidding
• 2. relating to the river Styx in Greek mythology

Using stygian: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "stygian" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The stygian darkness of the cave made it difficult to see.

• Example

  The forest was so stygian that even the birds were silent.

• Example

  The movie's stygian atmosphere added to its horror.

• Example

  The stygian depths of the ocean are still largely unexplored.

stygian Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for stygian

• dark
• gloomy
• forbidding
• shadowy
• murky

Antonyms for stygian

• bright
• cheerful
• sunny

Phrases with stygian

• Stygian darkness

  a very dark and gloomy environment, often used metaphorically

  Example

  The stygian darkness of the abandoned building was unsettling.

• crossing the Stygian river

  a metaphor for passing into the afterlife or facing death

  Example

  As he lay on his deathbed, he felt like he was crossing the Stygian river.

• Stygian gloom

  a feeling of deep sadness or depression

  Example

  After her breakup, she was consumed by a sense of Stygian gloom.

Origins of stygian

from Latin 'Styx', the name of the river that formed the boundary between Earth and the Underworld in Greek mythology

📌

Summary: stygian in Brief

'Stygian' [ˈstɪdʒiən] describes a very dark, gloomy, and forbidding environment. It is often used metaphorically, as in 'The stygian depths of the ocean are still largely unexplored.' The term also relates to the river Styx in Greek mythology, as in 'crossing the Stygian river,' which is a metaphor for passing into the afterlife or facing death.