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Definitions

joyless

[joi-lis] / ˈdʒɔɪ lɪs /
ADJECTIVE
unhappy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bleak dejected depressing dismal downcast dreary miserable
WEAK
black blue cheerless depressant depressed dispirited dispiriting doleful down in the mouth dragged droopy gloomy have the blahs heavy low melancholic melancholy mopey mournful sad saddening somber
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright cheerful elated encouraging glad happy light pleasant
WEAK
delighted joyful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

MIAMI—Despite arriving with one of the greatest rosters ever assembled, Team USA found a way to make its time at the World Baseball Classic look rather joyless.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Leadership sets the tone, and right now that tone feels tense and joyless.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2026

Zalaegerszeg in western Hungary does not get to join the hall of infamy, not after Scotland won a fairly joyless, but wholly professional, behind-closed-doors contest against Belarus.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2025

I agree with Molly Jong-Fast that the tone of non-stop outrage from that era backfired, by making liberals seem joyless and hysterical.

From Salon • Nov. 22, 2024

Being born with a sickly resemblance to Henry Fonda was the first of a long series of practical jokes of which destiny was to make Major Major the unhappy victim throughout his joyless life.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller