Somber vs. Solemn — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Somber and Solemn
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Compare with Definitions
Somber
Dark; gloomy
A somber room.
Solemn
Serious and dignified
A solemn occasion.
Somber
Dull or dark in color
Somber hues.
Solemn
Showing or behaving with dignified restraint or earnestness
"Spade's face was solemn except for wrinkles at the corners of his eyes" (Dashiell Hammett).
Somber
Melancholy; dismal
A somber mood.
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Solemn
Performed with full ceremony
A solemn High Mass.
Somber
Serious; grave
A somber spokesperson.
Solemn
Made with deep sincerity or invoking the force of religion
A solemn vow.
Somber
(American spelling) sombre
Solemn
Dark or undecorated
A solemn forest.
A solemn hall.
Somber
(American spelling) sombre
Solemn
Of or pertaining to religious ceremonies and rites; (generally) religious in nature; sacred.
Somber
Dull; dusky; somewhat dark; gloomy; as, a somber forest; a somber house.
Solemn
(by extension)
Somber
Melancholy; sad; grave; depressing; as, a somber person; somber reflections.
The dinner was silent and somber; happily it was also short.
Solemn
Characterized by or performed with appropriate or great ceremony or formality.
Somber
To make somber, or dark; to make shady.
Solemn
Deeply serious and sombre; grave.
Somber
Gloom; obscurity; duskiness; somberness.
Solemn
Inspiring serious feelings or thoughts; sombrely impressive.
Somber
Grave or even gloomy in character;
Solemn and mournful music
A suit of somber black
A somber mood
Solemn
(obsolete) Cheerless, gloomy, sombre.
Somber
Lacking brightness or color; dull;
Drab faded curtains
Sober Puritan gray
Children in somber brown clothes
Solemn
Marked with religious rites and pomps; enjoined by, or connected with, religion; sacred.
His holy rites and solemn feasts profaned.
The worship of this image was advanced, and a solemn supplication observed everry year.
Solemn
Pertaining to a festival; festive; festal.
Solemn
Stately; ceremonious; grand.
His feast so solemn and so rich.
To-night we hold a splemn supper.
Solemn
Fitted to awaken or express serious reflections; marked by seriousness; serious; grave; devout; as, a solemn promise; solemn earnestness.
Nor wanting power to mitigate and swageWith solemn touches troubled thoughts.
There reigned a solemn silence over all.
Solemn
Real; earnest; downright.
Frederick, the emperor, . . . has spared no expense in strengthening this city; since which time we find no solemn taking it by the Turks.
Solemn
Affectedly grave or serious; as, to put on a solemn face.
Solemn
Made in form; ceremonious; as, solemn war; conforming with all legal requirements; as, probate in solemn form.
Solemn
Dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises;
A grave God-fearing man
A quiet sedate nature
As sober as a judge
A solemn promise
The judge was solemn as he pronounced sentence
Solemn
Characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions;
Both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate
An entirely sincere and cruel tyrant
A film with a solemn social message
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