as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning
the puppy's plaintive expression after we put the toy away was rather amusing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plaintive
The lack of outreach prompted him to co-write an article with two other local rabbis which struck a plaintive tone.
—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Petzold’s enigmatic and plaintive Miroirs, on the other hand, has nothing to do with soccer, despite the director’s longtime passion for the sport.
—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
The steady, unwavering empathy of her gaze encompasses a universe of tiny, interlaced incidents in which the zany entwines the plaintive, or the tragic the comic.
—
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
Hoffhines’ plaintive message indicated that captive agents knew of the policy to deny claims.
—
J.c. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for plaintive
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Petzold’s enigmatic and plaintive Miroirs, on the other hand, has nothing to do with soccer, despite the director’s longtime passion for the sport.
—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
The steady, unwavering empathy of her gaze encompasses a universe of tiny, interlaced incidents in which the zany entwines the plaintive, or the tragic the comic.
—
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
Hoffhines’ plaintive message indicated that captive agents knew of the policy to deny claims.
—
J.c. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for plaintive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plaintive
Adjective
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The years have only intensified Zimmerman’s mournful, hushed vocal performance, and Dream Me a Dream often plays out like a bedtime story spun by a beloved elder, accompanied by soft strings, shakers, and even a synth or two.
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The drama can stir up nostalgia and mournful emotions, and feels personal to many.
Adjective
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And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.
Adjective
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Relatives of a woman discovered dead by her son with her neck slashed in the lobby of her Brooklyn apartment building are appealing to the public for help with funeral expenses.
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The fundraiser ultimately raised more than $88,000 AUD (about $62,000 USD) to cover funeral expenses, household bills and Axel's future needs.
Adjective
-
The courtroom was packed with heartbroken supporters wanting justice for Jor'Dynn as each woman stood silent in front of the judge.
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There is nothing more evocative of a pure Love Island experience than a heartbroken rage split in costume.
Adjective
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Sitting opposite an old people’s home in a residential corner of Paris’ 14th arrondissement, La Santé’s unassuming presence is only given away by the occasional wailing siren as prisoners are transported to and from the site.
Adjective
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Looking for a silver lining Some analysts fear that the friction over the 250th celebrations, especially the national ones, may end up reinforcing the nation's bitter divide rather than providing a respite from it.
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This inverts the usual analysis of American politics, that our bitter culture wars will always resolve down to questions like affordability.
Cite this Entry
“Plaintive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plaintive. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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