1
as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning
the woeful expressions of the players after the humiliating loss
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sad
feeling unhappiness
never saw a more woeful-looking bunch than those campers sitting there in the drenching rain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress
the restaurant patron made the woeful discovery that he had left his wallet at home
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of woeful
The Rockies appear headed to rivaling that woeful record.
—
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2025
What’s more, there is a woeful shortage of pediatric dental care.
—Scott A. Rivkees, Time, 6 May 2025
The Celtics shot a woeful 3-for-16 in the third quarter but were within a basket entering the fourth, trailing 73-70.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2025
During a woeful three-inning outing, the 26-year-old gave up six runs to the middling Colorado Rockies.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for woeful
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2025
What’s more, there is a woeful shortage of pediatric dental care.
—Scott A. Rivkees, Time, 6 May 2025
The Celtics shot a woeful 3-for-16 in the third quarter but were within a basket entering the fourth, trailing 73-70.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2025
During a woeful three-inning outing, the 26-year-old gave up six runs to the middling Colorado Rockies.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for woeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for woeful
Adjective
-
The slow, mournful piano chords capture the somber bite of the scene with remarkable punch yet also a sobering stillness, and that’s before the elegiac words carry the song off into the sky.—
Daniel Dylan Wray,
Pitchfork,
8 May 2025
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Wynette’s mournful lyrics about a partner who has left—will one protagonist leave the other during the game’s main campaign?—to the sound of lonely, sad acoustic country music is the flip side of Wang Chung’s carefree spirit.—
Brady Gerber,
Vulture,
7 May 2025
Adjective
-
For someone who prizes roadside Americana, this is the visual version of the sad trombone sound.—
Christopher Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
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After the show, there's booze, girls, and hotel suites, but Abel's locked in the bathroom, being sad.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
Mexicans mourned the deaths of two sailors while authorities in Mexico and New York worked to unravel the mystery of the tragic crash of the Cuauhtémoc Training Ship into the Brooklyn Bridge.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
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The social media influencer shared an emotional Instagram video featuring her three-year-old son Trigg on Mother's Day, marking her last post with him before his tragic death on May 18 following a pool incident that occurred days prior.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
20 May 2025
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
-
However, the Palestinians are unhappy with the speed of FIFA’s inquiries.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Their presidential candidate, Erika Meza, a 25-year veteran teacher from the Southeast Side, is unhappy with what CTU has come to symbolize.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
None of his previous work has been released in the U.S., which is unfortunate because Demoustier (brother of the talented actress Anaïs) is one of those rare French filmmakers who can blend suspense with perceptive writing and characterization, resulting in artsy thrillers that dig deep.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
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The decision was so unfortunate that the NAIA felt compelled to issue an apology.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
Stacy Melo, an east Arlington resident, told the City Council that she was left heartbroken and shocked the last time TotalEnergies came before council.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 May 2025
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After everyone left, her husband apologized for his mother’s absence and thanked her for her hard work, but the experience left her heartbroken.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
Allergies can make anyone miserable, especially when traveling.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2025
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Nothing’s more miserable than foot pain before the dancing’s even begun.—
Camille Freestone,
Glamour,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Woeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woeful. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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