Leaden

The word 'leaden' describes something heavy, dull, or slow, often with a sense of gloom or oppression. It can refer to the literal weight of something, like a lead object, or to a figurative weight of atmosphere, mood, or even actions. It suggests a lack of vitality, brightness, or ease. The quality of being leaden evokes a sense of sluggishness, both physically and emotionally, often associated with feelings of burden, constraint, or a lack of hope. A leaden experience can be characterized by difficulty, resistance, or a noticeable absence of energy, reflecting a state of diminished capacity or reduced emotional lightness. It further portrays something heavy, dark, and lacking in lustre or animation. Finally, 'leaden' also has a direct connection to the colour lead, with the colour association also being a key element.

Leaden meaning with examples

• The rain outside felt leaden, each drop seeming to carry the weight of the impending storm. The sky was a dull, gray canvas, mirroring the gloomy atmosphere that settled over the town. The heavy clouds suggested impending doom, creating a stifling and oppressive mood for everyone nearby. The forecast didn't help, as it forecast heavier rain to come. The weather took a turn for the worse.
• After the shocking news, a leaden silence fell over the room, each person struggling to process the information. The air felt thick and suffocating, filled with unspoken grief and disbelief. The heavy atmosphere was palpable, weighing on everyone's shoulders. The news left many speechless, stunned by the tragic occurrence. It brought sorrow to the lives nearby.
• Her leaden footsteps echoed down the hallway, each movement a struggle against an invisible force. She felt exhausted, overwhelmed by the pressures of work. She moved like an old, slow-moving statue. She took the day off after that slow, heavy walk. The pain in her back was unbearable and made it even harder to continue on.
• The leaden prose of the novel made it difficult to get through, each sentence weighed down with unnecessary complexity. The writing style lacked fluidity, lacking the quality to make the reader comfortable. It had a stifling style, full of very descriptive and complicated vocabulary. It was uninteresting, lacking a sense of excitement for the audience. The book was extremely hard to read.
• His leaden performance on stage failed to captivate the audience, his movements and delivery lacking any spark. His words were also flat and uninteresting, and they lacked enthusiasm or passion. He struggled through his lines, failing to grab anyone's interest, but the audience were already losing patience. The crowd were less than enthused, failing to give him the reception he expected. He didn't go down as the greatest performer.