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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dolefulness
Noun
-
There’s not even a sadness or an anger.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025 -
When his dog, Grace, died the year before, at the age of sixteen and a half, the sadness was overwhelming.—
Ann Patchett,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Neighbors and members of the community in Grand Blanc, Michigan, expressed shock and sorrow in interviews with Fox News Digital.—
Anders Hagstrom , Garrett Tenney,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Words cannot capture the depth of our sorrow for their loss.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The depression trudged along at 2 mph with 35-mph winds, center officials said.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While the vigil was not planned in response to the shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, attendees and speakers expressed grief over the incident.—
Tess Ware,
Freep.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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Uzbek artist Feruza Kholkhujaeva filled courtyards with potted plants that will slowly die, a portrait of grief.—
Dada Jovanovic,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Garner watches his anguish, with respect.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Although many questions remain, the few answers the Vaneks have, however tenuous, serve as an antidote to the anguish of never knowing.—
Ted Katauskas,
Outside,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But even here, the ache of the lovers’ separation registers with only a muffled sense of melancholy.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
11 Sep. 2025
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Some gags land, others don’t, and the script’s sudden bursts of melancholy dependably catch you in the gut.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
9 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Dolefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dolefulness. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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