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
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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
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In this moment of sorrow, my thoughts and those of the entire Formula 1 family are with his family and loved ones'.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025 -
McIlroy expressed his sorrow and predicted that the 15-time major champion will be unable to play for the rest of the season.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The 10 Best Movies Leaving Netflix In March 2025 Aftersun (2022) Few movies from the 2020s have hit me quite as hard as Aftersun, a movie about not only dealing with depression, but being close to somebody dealing with depression.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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Sleep deficiency is also linked to diabetes, stroke, and mental health conditions like depression.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Fox Valley Hands of Hope has provided grief support to adults, children and families in the area since 1981, with no charge for services, the release noted.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
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Death Takes Me, instead, suggests that personal grief and political anger can find expression, too, through ambiguity and irony—and even laughter.—
Nicolás Medina Mora,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The first Trump Administration didn’t deliver many material gains to the rural poor—deaths of despair continued to rise, and wages continued to stagnate—but at least Trump spoke to their anguish and seemed outraged on their behalf.—
Andrew Marantz,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
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Garcia’s damages included physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, grief, disfigurement, physical impairment, anxiety and emotional distress, according to a recording of the verdict from Courtroom View Network.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There’s some comedy in there, but all the laughs are so blunted by a determined melancholy that nothing really lands.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
28 Feb. 2025
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Moving and melancholy, Chalamet’s performance brought him widespread awards recognition including SAG, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Dolefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dolefulness. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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