1
as in weeping
expressing or suggesting mourning
she had such a mournful expression that someone teasingly asked if her dog had died
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in depressing
causing unhappiness
the mournful death of a beloved entertainer
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mournful
His villains were flamboyant, but Bruce was mournful, reluctant — no onscreen superhero has more palpably wrestled with not wanting to be a superhero.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
Such memories flowed freely this week on social media and in mournful first-person essays.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
Newsom shakes his head, seeming more mournful than angry.
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2026
In addition to occasional bursts of folk songs, there are outstanding new compositions by Mario Batkovic that move from a quick, nerve-jangling pulse to a full surge of mournful chords in a late sequence.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mournful
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
Such memories flowed freely this week on social media and in mournful first-person essays.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
Newsom shakes his head, seeming more mournful than angry.
—Maya Singer, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2026
In addition to occasional bursts of folk songs, there are outstanding new compositions by Mario Batkovic that move from a quick, nerve-jangling pulse to a full surge of mournful chords in a late sequence.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 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
Adjective
-
So is this really worth being sad about?—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
19 Mar. 2026
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Perhaps the saddest was the case of a Garden Grove gas station owner who was convicted of misdemeanors for illegally giving customers preferential treatment.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This provides an initially pretty good, if incredibly depressing, joke.—
Chase Hutchinson,
IndieWire,
19 Mar. 2026
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Four of his early films Wiseman described as some of the most depressing films ever made.—
David Pogue,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
After her radiation treatment, Peet returned a clear scan in January of this year, and soon after began making funeral arrangements for her mother; Peet’s father died in 2025 amid the cancer ordeal.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
22 Mar. 2026
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Attorneys for both Macy and Mallory Morphew said in their initial filing that their mother's remains were at Swan Lake Funeral Home in Colorado Springs, and had a funeral service planned for their mother when law enforcement took possession of the body.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But there are so many other parts of Nigeria, unhappy in their union, who would also want that privilege.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
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The matter then came before the Board of Supervisors, which was caught between a sea of unhappy constituents and the possibility of a costly legal battle if the plan was not approved.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Astin sinks into his pathetic character with full commitment, but the running gag about Ron getting more upset about the possibility of being banned from the fast-food restaurant than anything else is hammered so relentlessly that the character just seems mentally challenged.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Mar. 2026
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Of course, the notes turn out to mostly be about her as well as the principal (played by Gosling), detailing their most pathetic behaviors.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His heartbroken daughter told the Daily News just days after the attack that he was not expected to survive.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
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My heart goes out to the heartbroken family of Sheridan Gorman.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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First, when shares are at a depressed value, investors can move more of them into the tax-free account.—
Darla Mercado, CFP®,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
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Dee labeled Angie as depressed, bipolar, lacking empathy, narcissistic, et cetera.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Washington Post,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mournful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mournful. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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