1
as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning
the woeful expressions of the players after the humiliating loss
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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 Chaparrals shot a woeful 13% (2 of 15) in the first half and trailed 26-10 at the break.
—
Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
This historically woeful Texas defense forced only three turnovers from a 12-19 team that committed 74 over the last six games.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
The beginning was abysmal for both teams, who combined for a woeful 7-for-44 shooting from 3-point range in the first half while playing to a 45-45 tie at the break.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The team was ready to move on — eventually improving its woeful lineup with the addition of Marcell Ozuna — yet McCutchen wasn’t retiring.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for woeful
Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026
This historically woeful Texas defense forced only three turnovers from a 12-19 team that committed 74 over the last six games.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
The beginning was abysmal for both teams, who combined for a woeful 7-for-44 shooting from 3-point range in the first half while playing to a 45-45 tie at the break.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The team was ready to move on — eventually improving its woeful lineup with the addition of Marcell Ozuna — yet McCutchen wasn’t retiring.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for woeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for woeful
Adjective
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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
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Humpback whales, which can weigh more than 55,000 pounds, are the ocean's most renowned singers, capable of complex vocalizations that can sound ethereal or even mournful.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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One of the saddest bits of it, actually!—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
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Sister Jean would pass away at age 106 this past October, a sad metaphor for the fate of Cinderella.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 23,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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OpenAI is battling more than a dozen different death and harm suits, including one centered on a tragic murder-suicide allegedly spurred by ChatGPT reinforcing an unstable man’s paranoid delusions.—
Maggie Harrison Dupré,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
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The major hubs are bad in all the predictable ways, but America’s smaller airports are each cursed and tragic in their own exquisite style.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 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 28-year-old receiver is reportedly unhappy with his situation in Philadelphia, despite winning a Super Bowl a little over a year ago.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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But there may be an answer, or at least a compromise that will satisfy those unhappy with the idea of destroying a usable building.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That house has a history of unfortunate events, including the fate of Cookie, an errant heiress and her pooch.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
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The start of 2026 has been a series of unfortunate events for Michelle Harris and her family.—
Monique John,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His heartbroken daughter told the Daily News just days after the attack that he was not expected to survive.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
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My heart goes out to the heartbroken family of Sheridan Gorman.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Or a miserable 48 in the case of the Rangers, still simmering in Philadelphia.—
Kevin Sherrington
Mar. 27,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Their home is huge and elegant, but also maze-like, miserable, and allergic to light.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Woeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woeful. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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