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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plaintive
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
The jazz piano of Bill Evans was characterized by grace and poise, a lightness of touch yielding a plaintive depth of feeling, that belied a life beset with chaos and tragedy.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Andersen issues a plaintive and impassioned plea for understanding and compassion about the plight and perilous circumstances of refugees.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for plaintive
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
The jazz piano of Bill Evans was characterized by grace and poise, a lightness of touch yielding a plaintive depth of feeling, that belied a life beset with chaos and tragedy.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Andersen issues a plaintive and impassioned plea for understanding and compassion about the plight and perilous circumstances of refugees.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for plaintive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plaintive
Adjective
-
Then, in the Andante movement, the upper strings opened with a glassy sound before the mournful line of the cello entered.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Over the years, humpback whale songs have been recorded for human listening, with many describing the songs as having a haunting, mournful quality.—
Patrick Whittle,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 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
-
His funeral arrangements were originally planned for Friday, but were postponed after his wife went into labor last week.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
After a 15-minute service, she was taken to the cemetery while her husband followed in the funeral car.—
Kevin Foster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Jesse O’Hara, said his clients were distraught and heartbroken over the treatment of their baby.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
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Fayez Dakkak, a third-generation Muslim storeowner in the Old City whose shop has catered to Christian pilgrims since 1942, said he was heartbroken over Al Aqsa's closure during the Islamic holy month.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 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
-
Prices run from €16 for a burrata cheese and tomato bruschetta to €25 for foie gras with bitter marmalade.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Schottenheimer’s latest comments inject optimism and a sense of patience from the Cowboys’ sideline, pushing back against speculation of a bitter standoff or imminent trade.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plaintive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plaintive. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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