plangent

adjective

ˈplan-jənt How to pronounce plangent (audio)
Definition of plangentnext
1
as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning a plangent, haunting song about a long-ago love

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loud
marked by a high volume of sound plangent organ music filled the church

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ringing
marked by conspicuously full and rich sounds or tones the strong, plangent tones of a Louis Armstrong trumpet solo

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of plangent Musically, the song is indistinguishable from most modern country — a plangent guitar melody leading the way, followed by the sinister percussive drop of a trap beat. — Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 21 May 2025 The composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, that warhorse of English traditionalism, is mentioned six times, and his plangent music—invoking a lost, idyllic England; a greener, more pleasant land—could easily be the novel’s soundtrack. — Charles McGrath, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024 Indeed the music, with its banging, techno-style beats looped against plangent piano, analogizes Jamal’s predicament rather perfectly. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 25 Mar. 2023 That deft level of craft is maintained throughout, while the aching musical bed by contemporary composer Nico Muhly adds just the right tone of plangent despair tinged with hope. — Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for plangent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plangent
  1. mournful
  2. loud
  3. ringing
  4. weeping
  5. deafening
  6. round
  7. funeral
  8. shrill
Adjective
  • The One About Matthew Perry, a three-part docuseries, out October 27 on Netflix, is more of a celebration of celebrate Perry’s life instead of a mournful tribute or true crime drama about his death and the headline-making trial that followed.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2026
  • East Suffolk, a windblown span of marshy coastland, has a reputation for stark, mournful beauty, and for drawing creative people with a taste for isolation and escape.
    — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of mournful
Adjective
  • But the Sweetgreen on the Upper East Side was both loud and had nowhere to sit, a sad reflection of how Americans view workday lunches.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Frequent awakenings, loud snoring, gasping during sleep, morning headaches or uncomfortable leg sensations warrant a conversation with a healthcare provider.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of loud
Adjective
  • Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham was asked about Underwood’s security in the starting job earlier this week and hardly offered up a ringing endorsement.
    — Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Martha-Mary Chapel, Sudbury Reverend Bryce (Toby Huss) presides over the town church, where mysterious ringing bells seem to indicate something dark is afoot.
    — Nicholas DeRenzo, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of ringing
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
Definition of weeping
Adjective
  • The sound is practically deafening, a loud metallic pang that cuts through the forest’s thick foliage.
    — Taylor Mitchell Brown, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • By the time Obsession made it to TIFF, the buzz on social media had become deafening.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of deafening
Adjective
  • The bread’s round shape represents the circle of life, and it’s topped with small dough strips to look like bones.
    — Daniela Cintron, AJC.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But don’t worry, the inside of the cups is lined with a round, plush cushion for comfort (and functionality).
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of round
Adjective
  • Spanning 30,500 square feet, the museum houses 19 permanent exhibits that explore everything from presidential and papal funerals to historic hearses, cremation, mourning traditions, and funeral customs from around the world.
    — Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Jenson launched a GoFundMe to raise money to cover funeral expenses and provide for Ty.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of funeral
Adjective
  • That loon’s shrill call, this rock’s marbled face, and the walleye wriggling several feet below are what’s at home here; the paddler, just a visitor.
    — Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 2026
  • With a soprano voice that’s sharp but never shrill, O’Donovan can levitate a heartfelt melody over just about any kind of accompaniment.
    — Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of shrill

Browse Nearby Words

planets
plangent
planing
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Cite this Entry

“Plangent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plangent. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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