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

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

From Salon

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

From Salon

But from the snapshots we see, these encounters seem mostly humiliating and joyless.

From New York Times

But the true Saban aficionados knew him as the avatar of what was often called “joyless murderball” — steady, unexciting but inexorable conquest.

From New York Times

Besides being a great conductor, composer, pianist and educator, Bernstein wrote a winning bestseller, “Joy of Music,” and thankfully “Maestro” is not joyless.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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