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bleak
The word evokes a sense of emptiness and coldness, whether physical or emotional. It describes a void where something comforting (like warmth, greenery, or hope) should be but is missing. When applied to landscapes, it suggests a raw, exposed quality that feels hostile to human life. It is more severe than "bare" and more oppressive than "plain." When used metaphorically for the future or a situation, it implies a definitive lack of optimism. Unlike "grim," which can feel menacing or harsh, "bleak" often feels passive—a state of hopeless stillness or inevitable decline.
Ý nghĩa
Lacking vegetation and exposed to the elements; cold and miserable.
"The landscape was bleak and windswept, with nothing but grey stones and scrub."
Offering little or no hope of improvement; depressing and cheerless.
"The economic outlook for the next quarter remains bleak despite government intervention."