as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning
the puppy's plaintive expression after we put the toy away was rather amusing
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Recent Examples of plaintive
The steady, unwavering empathy of her gaze encompasses a universe of tiny, interlaced incidents in which the zany entwines the plaintive, or the tragic the comic.
—
Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
What plucks at the heartstrings with its Herb Alpert studio melancholy sounds a little fried here, the song’s plaintive, tentative charm buried under thrashing improvisation.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 6 Mar. 2026
Hoffhines’ plaintive message indicated that captive agents knew of the policy to deny claims.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026
Williams' plaintive score is deceptively simple and moving, mostly comprised of melodic piano tracks.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for plaintive
Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
What plucks at the heartstrings with its Herb Alpert studio melancholy sounds a little fried here, the song’s plaintive, tentative charm buried under thrashing improvisation.
—Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 6 Mar. 2026
Hoffhines’ plaintive message indicated that captive agents knew of the policy to deny claims.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoman, 27 Feb. 2026
Williams' plaintive score is deceptively simple and moving, mostly comprised of melodic piano tracks.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for plaintive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plaintive
Adjective
-
The drama can stir up nostalgia and mournful emotions, and feels personal to many.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
On the soundtrack, mournful wailing music presents her as a tragic character.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
2 June 2026
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
-
Also on Monday, senior government, police and military officials attended funeral prayers for the slain security personnel.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
-
With Hillary Dawa alone on the world’s tallest mountain in perilous conditions for so long, his family had already begun funeral rites for him.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
This new dating trend is leaving people baffled and heartbroken.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
As word spread of Riley's death, his heartbroken family led the public tributes.—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
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
Adjective
-
To be whole without the effort of stretching oneself out, without the exercise that leaves a bitter taste.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Kennedy’s efforts showed how bitter rivals could nevertheless work toward a common goal.—
Abigail R. Hall,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plaintive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plaintive. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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