dolesome

adjective

ˈdōl-səm How to pronounce dolesome (audio)
Definition of dolesomenext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dolesome
  1. weeping
  2. mournful
  3. funeral
  4. heartbroken
  5. bitter
  6. wailing
  7. sad
  8. sorry
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
  • But there’s something mournful, something searching about his statement, too.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
  • The teen’s father, Jesus Rivas, looked at the screen with a mournful expression and repeatedly checked on Martínez as their lawyer, Patrick Steinfeld, sat next to them.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026
Definition of mournful
Adjective
  • Rather than a celebration, the film plays more like a funeral procession, or perhaps a bedside vigil for a man who has, indeed, seemingly sacrificed his life in pursuit of his art.
    — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In due time, restorative art was more broadly incorporated into funeral practice.
    — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
Definition of funeral
Adjective
  • Local photographers are heartbroken after a young eagle was hit and killed by a train in Beaver County earlier this month.
    — Jessica Guay, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 29 July 2026
Definition of heartbroken
Adjective
  • Democrats endured a bitter and expensive campaign that became a proxy battle between the party’s establishment and progressive wings.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • When the siblings finally arrive, the bitter, suffocating reality that awaits them proves far harsher than Lucila had imagined.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of bitter
Adjective
  • Sitting opposite an old people’s home in a residential corner of Paris’ 14th arrondissement, La Santé’s unassuming presence is only given away by the occasional wailing siren as prisoners are transported to and from the site.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Definition of wailing
Adjective
  • Biden as the progressive hero, and Obama as the sad, weak appendage to the Reagan era.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
  • But my partner’s son is sad his own father is also less involved but doesn’t see the cause.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 29 July 2026
Definition of sad
Adjective
  • If everyone in your party ordered these tacos, no one would be sorry.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • And sorry, fans, Keisean Nixon’s starting spot is likely not in jeopardy because of the fellow South Carolina Gamecock.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of sorry
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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Cite this Entry

“Dolesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dolesome. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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