1
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

Examples 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 On the other side of that coin, though, is Russell Wilson, who will have his chances against this woeful Ravens defense. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 15 Nov. 2024 However, its physical port array is woeful, with just one USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port on each side. PCMAG, 27 Nov. 2024 This was the spark the Jets needed, having come into this game 2-6 after being upset by the woeful New England Patriots the week prior. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 1 Nov. 2024 The Bears have been woeful on the road under Eberflus with a 3-16 record. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for woeful 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for woeful
Adjective
  • Very few directors working today can put across a movie like Gladiator II as convincingly, which perhaps explains why the sequel — for all its barbaric violence and the plaintive, at times stirring, discussions about justice and democracy — doesn’t have the mournful quality that the first film did.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Russell Crowe beating people to death in a soulful, mournful way?
    Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • However, sad to say, Gmail accounts remain a prime target for attackers of all sorts and understanding the threat is key to getting a grip on mitigating it.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
  • What kids gain from taking charge of their own feelings Having strong emotional regulation skills doesn’t mean kids won’t feel sad, angry, or frustrated — that’s part of being human.
    Amy Morin, Contributor, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This tragic incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of chronic pain, which affects millions of Americans and is often linked to significant mental and emotional distress.
    Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Obituaries Toni Morrison dead at 88: ‘Beloved’ author captured tragic and joyful complexion of life and race Aug. 6, 2019 As a winner of seven NAACP awards and countless more accolades for her achievements in poetry — Giovanni helped up-and-coming writers.
    Astrid Kayembe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
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
  • Some artists and publishers are unhappy with the way their content is being scraped freely by companies like OpenAI and Google to train their large language models — AI models trained on huge quantities of data to generate humanlike responses.
    Ryan Browne, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Cronin — who had to cancel some summer shows this year due to unspecified health issues — further acknowledges that there’s acrimony between he and Hall, and he’s been unhappy with some of the social media discourse blaming him for the end of the REO Speedwagon name.
    Gary Graff, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • My role has not been to judge or point fingers at any party involved in this unfortunate situation.
    Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The unfortunate trend is certainly concerning for a Lions team that is hoping to make a deep playoff run.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Dog Breeds For Your Perfect Match By Brian Dillon Home & Travel Reporter 0 A dog that chewed through a wall to see its owner has left the internet heartbroken.
    Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Madison is flawless in these closing scenes: stunned, heartbroken, unable to respond to the tentative romantic gestures of a Russian henchman who's taken a shine to her.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But as is typical of City at the moment, there was another sudden collapse, this miserable run was extended, and Guardiola’s attempt to fix things failed spectacularly.
    Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The storm’s sloppy mess of heavy rain and strong winds will make for treacherous travel and a miserable day in the Northeast’s major cities.
    Elisa Raffa, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near woeful

Cite this Entry

“Woeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woeful. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on woeful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!