1
as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning
the woeful expressions of the players after the humiliating loss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 woeful
Yes, there are good reasons to question NASA's long-term plans for the Artemis lunar program—the woeful cost of the Space Launch System rocket, the complexity of new commercial landers, and a bleak budget outlook.
—
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Each episode includes the woeful word in place of another.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The memories, still fresh, both woeful and wonderful, came rushing back.
—Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2025
Improving this woeful reality is challenging, and schools aren’t well-positioned to be everything to everyone.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for woeful
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Each episode includes the woeful word in place of another.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The memories, still fresh, both woeful and wonderful, came rushing back.
—Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2025
Improving this woeful reality is challenging, and schools aren’t well-positioned to be everything to everyone.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for woeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for woeful
Adjective
-
Walt Disney Imagineering updated the storyline of Black Widow Bride Constance Hatchway earlier this year by turning her from an axe murderer who beheads her wealthy husbands into a more mournful figure overwhelmed by the dread of lost love.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
-
In this context, even a simple boast about wielding a Beretta sounded mournful.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
How’s this for a sad old country tune?—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The results were a shock to the family, but one that was tinged with a sad realization.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
What affected me most in Lahiri’s story was the sense of time passing, the way our obsessions seem meaningless in the aftermath of tragic events (or, rather, from the larger vantage point of a life).—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The day after the Harriet the Spy actress’ tragic death, Gellar paid tribute to Trachtenberg with a carousel of photos from their time on the set of the supernatural drama.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 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
-
Jason Kelce, brother of Travis and former star of the Philadelphia Eagles, has issued a statement after a fake quote of him appearing to criticize those unhappy with the selection of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl Halftime Show went viral.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement Lawmakers are reportedly unhappy with briefings on the strikes, unable to clarify the legal basis of the strikes, and the refusal from Pentagon officials to provide unedited video footage of such incidents.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As Yassir Zabiri flung his boot in the air, the ball bounced off the unfortunate Joshua Wynder and into his own net.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Tight end Orande Gadsden had a very unfortunate early fumble, resulting in a long touchdown run.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Actually, more than mad, the guy is heartbroken.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Among those heartbroken fans was DJ Premier, who was one of the first people to comment on his passing.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Boise State generally made life miserable for Layne, the Idaho Vandals transfer who followed his coach, Jason Eck, from Moscow to Albuquerque.—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Brandon Marsh, who produced after a miserable April, looks more like a strong-side platoon corner outfielder than an everyday center fielder.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Woeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woeful. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share