DOLESOME Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

dolesome

adjective

ˈdōl-səm

Definition of dolesome

as in weeping

expressing or suggesting mourning the dolesome sound of a lone harmonica arising from the darkened encampment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dolesome

Adjective

And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.

— David Mamet, National Review, 11 Aug. 2022
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.

— Helen Shaw, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2021

Definition of weeping

Adjective

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.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 19 June 2026
The drama can stir up nostalgia and mournful emotions, and feels personal to many.

— Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 June 2026

Definition of mournful

Adjective

When his funeral conflicts with Lonnie’s tee time, The Hawk texts in his eulogy between holes.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
Details about the funeral arrangements for Nolan Wells, the teen who was found dead on July 6 after visiting Horn Island, Mississippi, have been released.

— Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026

Definition of funeral

Adjective

The feud shows no signs of ending, and Kate Middleton is reportedly heartbroken over it.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 18 July 2026
In 2017, administrators at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh were heartbroken to learn that hundreds of rare books, art prints and maps worth more than $8 million had been purloined from its rare books room.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Definition of heartbroken

Adjective

These models are typically not trained on or constrained by explicit physics rules, data, or simulations—remember, the bitter lesson.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026
The increasingly bitter contest will be among the next races where progressive candidates are facing more moderate rivals.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026

Definition of bitter

Adjective

Nostalgic, proud and, yeah, a little sad too, that the decade-long journey of making Stranger Things has come to an end.

— Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
In the comments, fans expressed conflicted feelings about the ride’s closure, with some excited for the new version and others sad to hear the original Kumba ride will soon be no more.

— Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Definition of sad

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.

Browse Nearby Words

doles

dolesome

doles out

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“Dolesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dolesome. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dolesome

adjective

Example Sentences

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