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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dolefulness
Noun
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When the players return to training on Monday afternoon, Roberto De Zerbi will have no time for anyone dwelling on their sadness or disappointment.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026 -
Welch’s voice is as unique as her music, thick with sadness one verse, airy and crystalline the next.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Bieber has had clashes with the paparazzi, and has sent ambiguous messages over social media hinting at his sorrow.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
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León said the band's goal at demonstrations is to redirect protesters' anger and sorrow.—
Adrian Florido,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But the administration is taking steps to ease restrictions and spur research on using the drugs for medical purposes, including conditions like severe depression.—
Matthew Perrone,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
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Rates of depression and anxiety among youths peaked during the pandemic, following gradual increases over the previous decade.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Here, in this new context, their large eyes did not seem wide with their usual wonder but swollen with grief and disbelief.—
Douglas Stuart,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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The overwhelming grief of losing a child became even worse when a detective gave her a notebook from Audree’s locker.—
Meena Duerson,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Sanders suffered injuries, including a concussion, headaches, possible traumatic brain injury, back and tailbone injuries and extreme mental anguish.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
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Examples include chronic pain, emotional anguish, anxiety, scarring or disfigurement, and the inability to enjoy your hobbies, sports, or daily activities.—
William Jones,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Still, the achievement carried a touch of melancholy for Lovell.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
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But, but what is it rooted in as, Is the end is kind of the melancholy of the song.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
25 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Dolefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dolefulness. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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