1
as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits
with the resigned dolefulness of an athlete who knows his playing days are over, he cleared out his locker for the last time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sorrow
deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved
a period of dolefulness that seemed to last forever for the widower
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dolefulness
Noun
-
Tomorrow is the day this profound sorrow renews my motivation.—
Bluesky Social,
Bluesky Social,
31 Mar. 2025 -
The book, which spans the twenty-odd years of Mii’s life, describes the daily joys and intimacies of having a pet, the difficulties that come with an aging cat, and the sorrows of outliving one’s animal companion.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The series builds a lot of sympathy for the showcased players, especially Duran, who is uncomfortably open recalling the pressure his father — who admits to some regrets as well — put on him and talking about his struggles with depression.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2025
-
After addressing changes in his diet, Williams said, his health and depression became manageable.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But grief and a hunger for justice will do that to a man, especially one with the wired intensity of Rami Malek.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2025
-
This sends Charlie down a rabbit hole of indescribable grief.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In the episode, Duran describes his mental anguish during that time and some of the steps he’s taken since then to improve his mental health.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
-
And all of that anguish of going through that process of retrying to develop my body in a way that will never be the same anyway.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Watching Thief, yes, we’re naturally mesmerized by its nocturnal compositions, its lovely sense of melancholy, its almost abstract robbery sequences filled with sparks and flames bursting off steel vaults.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Japanese Breakfast's Michelle Zauner embraces melancholy in new album The music of the indie rock band Japanese Breakfast is suffused with longing.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Dolefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dolefulness. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share