Synonyms of plaintively

plaintively

adverb

as in bitterly

with feelings of bitterness or grief

the man sighed plaintively as it became clear that he was getting nowhere with the officious bureaucrat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bitterly
• sorrowfully
• sadly
• mournfully
• painfully
• dolefully
• hard
• resentfully
• sharply
• ruefully
• lugubriously
• regretfully
• dolorously
• inconsolably
• unhappily
• harshly
• woefully
• grievously
• wailfully
• agonizingly
• wretchedly
• sorely
• severely
• despairingly
• despondently
• hardly
• dejectedly
• disconsolately
• forlornly
• dispiritedly
• morosely
• sullenly
• gloomily
• glumly
• cheerlessly
• abjectly
• somberly
• distressfully
• miserably
• drearily
• darkly
• dourly
• dismally
• poignantly
• pessimistically
• joylessly
• mirthlessly
• distressingly
• blackly
• piercingly
• acutely
• keenly
• cruelly
• rancorously
• hurtfully
• crestfallenly
• downheartedly
• ill
• low-spiritedly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• happily
• joyfully
• joyously
• gladly
• cheerfully
• blissfully
• cheerily
• delightedly
• gleefully
• merrily
• gaily
• lightheartedly
• calmly
• casually
• blithely
• nonchalantly
• indifferently
• lightly
• stoically
• easily
• impassively
• dispassionately
• unconcernedly
• sunnily
• mirthfully
• good-naturedly
• rejoicingly
• favorably
• well
• blithesomely

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of plaintively

The evening tolling of the bell at the Hōshō-ji temple echoed plaintively. — Literary Hub, 28 May 2026

The video of Hodges crying out plaintively is the antithesis of how a cop wants to be seen. — Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026

As if to emphasize Marlo's point, an immature bald eagle called plaintively from the top of a nearby tree. — Crai S. Bower, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2023

Mia plaintively asks Philip at one particularly vulnerable moment. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019