Vocabulary in context
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Doleful
Mournful; sorrowful; filled with or expressing sadness.
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Imagine This
Bob Dole was extremely sad and tearful when he lost the election to Bill Clinton.
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Sounds Like
DOHL-fəl
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Looks Like
doleful looks like dole + ful — 'dole' meaning sorrow + 'ful' meaning full of
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Remember This
Doleful emphasizes a strong, visibly sorrowful mood; it is more formal or literary than everyday words like sad or unhappy.
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Other Forms
dolefulnessnoun
dolefullyadverb
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Connect With
mournful, sorrowful, melancholy; lugubrious; dreary; sadness, grief
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Note
Use doleful for vivid, somber sadness. It is not interchangeable with milder terms such as 'sad' or 'unhappy' in serious contexts.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The doleful melody matched the mourners' somber mood.
- Her doleful expression betrayed the gravity of the news.
Synonyms
mournfulsorrowfulmelancholylugubriousdreary
Antonyms
joyfulcheerfuluplifted
Etymology
From Middle English dol(e)ful, from Old English dol (sorrow) + -ful (full of).
Mnemonic
DOLE-FUL sounds like 'doll full' — picture a doll full of tears to remember 'full of sorrow.'
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Similar Words
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adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
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adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Adept
adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.
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