MOURNFUL Synonyms: 239 Similar and Opposite Words

mournful

adjective

ˈmȯrn-fəl

Definition of mournful

as in weeping

expressing or suggesting mourning she had such a mournful expression that someone teasingly asked if her dog had died

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sad

feeling unhappiness the mournful survivors of the disaster were faced with the grim task of burying the dead

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in depressing

causing unhappiness the mournful death of a beloved entertainer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of mournful Since his siblings were crying with the same mournful expression, clinging to their father’s corpse, Shoichiro willed himself to cry too, and the tears came immediately. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 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 The teen’s father, Jesus Rivas, looked at the screen with a mournful expression and repeatedly checked on his wife. — Nancy Dillon, VIBE.com, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mournful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mournful

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

Spark, a writer of the first rank, brought her beautifully to life in this moving, rather sad novel of Edinburgh in the 1930s.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
And yet the allegation against her now enters Orange County’s long, sad spectrum of anti-Mexican political history.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

There will be pockets of opportunities from these old big department stores, which are underinvested and a bit depressing to walk around.

— Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026
In the wake of a depressing 69-93 season that sputtered out from the get-go, as so many a Royals campaign does, the club promptly made some substantial changes.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of depressing

Adjective

The GoFundMe, which was started to cover funeral costs, counseling and other support for the family, has raised a little over $23,000.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
To Diana, who has taken over First Desk at the Park after last season’s events, River’s refusal to take bereavement leave gives her license to speak about his grandfather’s funeral arrangements with her usual cool formality.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of funeral

Adjective

Its success made Cohn a rich, if unhappy, man, at least for a long while.

— Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026
What appeared to be a fairly normal election for a president halfway through his term — a probable setback, as unhappy voters register their discontent — has the potential, Cook said, to turn into a disaster for Republicans.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire honored Macy at a county Board of Supervisors meeting Wednesday, telling community leaders that her death had left his office and the wider community heartbroken.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Daria’s heartbroken family declined to comment on her death Saturday.

— Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of heartbroken

Adjective

In other words, support for white nationalism was higher among people living in more distressed or economically depressed places.

— James Bisbee, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
My idea of Sweden was based entirely on Scandi-noir dramas, all bleak landscapes, depressed people and woolly jumpers.

— Natasha Langan, TheWeek, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of depressed

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mourned

mournful

mournfully

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“Mournful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mournful. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mournful

adjective

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