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
Petzold’s enigmatic and plaintive Miroirs, on the other hand, has nothing to do with soccer, despite the director’s longtime passion for the sport.
—
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for plaintive
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for plaintive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plaintive
Adjective
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The drama can stir up nostalgia and mournful emotions, and feels personal to many.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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On the soundtrack, mournful wailing music presents her as a tragic character.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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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
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
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The burial ceremony will comprise of a two-day farewell to the slain former leader in Tehran and a funeral procession through the capital.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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Christ Temple Apostolic Church-Sacramento said her family is still arranging funeral details and did not share when the service would be.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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Sam’s maternal grandparents are especially heartbroken.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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Aaron Brown, her heartbroken father, spoke at the vigil.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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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
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The ruling adds to a string of legal setbacks for Musk in his increasingly bitter feud with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2026
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While this winter was colder and snowier than previous years, snowfall on the ground acted much like a blanket for ticks, providing shelter and warmth against the bitter cold temperatures.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plaintive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plaintive. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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