DOLEFULNESS Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

dolefulness

noun

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

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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Recent Examples of Synonyms for dolefulness

Noun

The researchers also detected differences in the brain activity associated with faces showing fear versus anger or sadness.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026
Gastélum’s last posts on Instagram and TikTok have thousands of comments ranging from sadness to disbelief.

— Rey Rodríguez, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of sadness

Noun

Outpouring of grief The sound of sobbing underlays chanting in dozens of dialects woven together in a single expression of sorrow for Imam Hussein and his companions and family, killed and taken captive in the defining event of Shia Islam.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Flitting between deadpan sorrow and impassioned romance, Bridgers’ album is alternately spooky, hilarious, mysterious and sneakily moving.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of sorrow

Noun

Andrew has also used neuroimaging research projects to study aging and dementia, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, depression, and other neurological and psychiatric disorders.

— Big Think, Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026
And any product promising to treat pain, anxiety, depression, or withdrawal should stop you outright.

— Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of depression

Noun

On top of the unimaginable grief of losing her child, Baustert has been dragged through an ongoing legal marathon in her fight to hold her daughter's alleged attackers accountable.

— Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Every visit evoked grief and fury, happiness and gratitude, disbelief and mourning.

— Lina Sergie Attar, Time, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of grief

Noun

Almodóvar’s film focuses on the suffering caused by a terminal diagnosis, and the additional anguish incurred by not having the option of aid in dying.

— Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026
With the help of an athletic trainer, Hoecht was guided to a bench and plopped down in anguish.

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of anguish

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dolefully

dolefulness

dole out

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“Dolefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dolefulness. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of dolefulness

noun

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