joyless

[ joi-lis ]

adjective

1. without joy or gladness; unhappy:

   the joyless days of the war.

   Synonyms: miserable, dismal, gloomy, cheerless, sad

   Antonyms: joyous

2. causing no joy or pleasure.

joyless

/ ˈdʒɔɪlɪs /

adjective

1. having or producing no joy or pleasure

Derived Forms

• ˈjoylessly, adverb
• ˈjoylessness, noun

Other Words From

• joyless·ly adverb
• joyless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of joyless¹

First recorded in 1300–50, joyless is from the Middle English word joyles. See joy, -less

Example Sentences

That’s less true in uncontrolled environments, like during a joyless interaction with Georgia donut shop employees in which he clumsily asked videographers to blur out a worker’s face and then placed a donut order of “just whatever makes sense.”

From Slate

Fascism is not only joyless but actively committed to the demolition of joy.

From Salon

The Republican Party has become joyless, and Harris is emblematic of joy.

From Salon

And yet, Republicans keep shaming Harris for laughing, no matter how weird and joyless that makes them seem.

From Salon

Despite a review from The Times labeling Costner’s character a “joyless mope,” “The Bodyguard” has grossed nearly $122 million domestically, according to Box Office Mojo, and Houston’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” received numerous awards, including a record of the year Grammy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bleak
• dejected
• depressing
• dismal
• downcast
• dreary
• miserable