dolefulness

noun

1
as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits with the resigned dolefulness of an athlete who knows his playing days are over, he cleared out his locker for the last time

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sorrow
deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved a period of dolefulness that seemed to last forever for the widower

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dolefulness
  1. sadness
  2. sorrow
  3. depression
  4. grief
  5. melancholy
  6. anguish
  7. mournfulness
Noun
  • At the same time, 40% reported experiencing stress, 23% reported sadness, 22% anger and 22% loneliness.
    — Naira Velumyan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Still, there are strains of deeper sadness and discomfort here, largely in the passive-aggressive tension between Kim’s character and her onscreen mother (superbly played by a new recuit, veteran TV star Choi Myeonggil).
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • While firefighter Ed Glover appeared caught between rapture, and deep sorrow.
    — Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Two people in New Orleans fall in love under an oak tree whose branches bend like sorrow.
    — Terry Gross, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of sorrow
Noun
  • In other writings found on her cellphone, Clancy detailed her anxiety and depression, challenges raising her children and her hesitation to take new medication.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Avoiding the storm-hindering winds would give it a better shot at becoming a tropical depression or storm.
    — Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of depression
Noun
  • As time passes and questions remain unanswered, the film shows how grief connects, relationships change, and new perspectives emerge.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • For years, Kiganda channeled his grief into advocacy, participating in World AIDS Day to raise awareness about HIV.
    — Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of grief
Noun
  • Beneath all the sensuality and beauty, there’s also a lingering melancholy that feels very familiar to me.
    — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 16 June 2026
  • Don Hertzfeldt occasionally comes to mind for a similarly pervasive mood of questioning, philosophical melancholy.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 12 June 2026
Definition of melancholy
Noun
  • Her boisterous pre-teen twins Ethan and Caleb are too young to grasp quite what’s at stake; high school sophomore Sophie (Sandler) has rather more vivid memories of going through this anguish before.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But Alys recognizes the anguish of a man just beginning his cursed life.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of anguish
Noun
  • Power Ballad should be breezy and fun, with that twist of mournfulness that Carney is always so adept at pulling off.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 May 2026
Definition of mournfulness
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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dolefully
dolefulness
dole out
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Cite this Entry

“Dolefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dolefulness. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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