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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of woeful
New York would go on to lose the next two at the Summit, in no small part thanks to John Stark’s woeful 2-of-18 shooting from the field in the deciding frame.
—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
29 May 2026
On top of the woeful error at first base, Alonso went 0-for-4 at the plate.
—
Mark Harris Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
The Dodgers romped through a weekend at Angel Stadium, scoring 31 runs in what amounted to live batting practice against the Angels’ woeful pitching staff.
—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
19 May 2026
For all of his woeful obsession with numbers, this is the reason anyone ever streamed his music and actually listened.
—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for woeful
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
29 May 2026
On top of the woeful error at first base, Alonso went 0-for-4 at the plate.
—
Mark Harris Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
The Dodgers romped through a weekend at Angel Stadium, scoring 31 runs in what amounted to live batting practice against the Angels’ woeful pitching staff.
—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
19 May 2026
For all of his woeful obsession with numbers, this is the reason anyone ever streamed his music and actually listened.
—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for woeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for woeful
Adjective
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The years have only intensified Zimmerman’s mournful, hushed vocal performance, and Dream Me a Dream often plays out like a bedtime story spun by a beloved elder, accompanied by soft strings, shakers, and even a synth or two.
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The drama can stir up nostalgia and mournful emotions, and feels personal to many.
Adjective
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Day broke, bathing everything in light, and so great was the vitality of the early-morning sun that even the unhappy city seemed to smile a wan, sad smile.
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But SpringHill really took off in 2020, two seasons into James’ Lakers term, when The SpringHill Company went public (and the Lakers won the sad COVID-bubble NBA Championship).
Adjective
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Anything tragic that happened to minorities was inevitable and necessary.
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Titled ‘Forever 20′, it has been placed on 97 Avenue, close to the stadium’s Main Stand, on the eve of the first anniversary of their tragic passing in a car crash in Spain last July.
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.
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.
Adjective
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The decade was an unhappy panorama of inflation, gas shortages, military humiliation, and revelations of political corruption.
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On Tuesday, Paul urged Americans who are unhappy with the justices’ ruling to support his proposal.
Adjective
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As attendees were escorted out of the Great American State Fair on Sunday because of inclement weather, guests noticed an unfortunate typo displayed on a digital billboard at the National Mall.
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They should be trained not to ask a bunch of questions about the medical condition, express doubt, comment that the timing is unfortunate or share private information with co-workers.
Adjective
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The courtroom was packed with heartbroken supporters wanting justice for Jor'Dynn as each woman stood silent in front of the judge.
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There is nothing more evocative of a pure Love Island experience than a heartbroken rage split in costume.
Adjective
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Remarkably, La Roja have failed to win a knockout round match in their last three World Cups, but expect Lamine Yamal and company to end that miserable run today.
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But the American job market has chugged along, continuing to rebound from a miserable 2025.
Cite this Entry
“Woeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woeful. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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