Collocations for "bleak"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "bleak" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
bleak
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adj
- the outlook [is, seems] bleak
- has a bleak outlook on [the situation, life]
- a bleak and [depressing, hopeless] outlook
- a bleak [vision, view, picture, portrait, assessment] of
- was a bleak year for [blackberries, fall colors]
- is looking bleak for [you, the company]
- has a bleak future (in)
- the weather is looking bleak (today)
- only have bleak [prospects, possibilities]
- their prospects are looking (quite) bleak
- yes, it looks bleak indeed (for)
- things are looking [pretty, rather, very] bleak
- [things] began to look bleak, but
- has been a bleak [winter, December]
- a bleak (and dreary) day
- a bleak and [barren, desolate] landscape
- a bleak [apartment, room, factory]
- went fishing for bleak
- [caught, fished] bleak in the river
- [fried, grilled, marinated] bleak (with rice)
- [marinated] bleak fillets
'bleak' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):