1
as in weeping
expressing or suggesting mourning
she had such a mournful expression that someone teasingly asked if her dog had died
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2
as in sad
feeling unhappiness
the mournful survivors of the disaster were faced with the grim task of burying the dead
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3
as in depressing
causing unhappiness
the mournful death of a beloved entertainer
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mournful
The music is delicate, mournful, and precise, each track suspended in the air like a held breath.
—
Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 19 June 2025
Unlike most of his hardcore predecessors, Yates has a knack for mournful melodies, and a voice that may remind some older listeners of Perry Farrell, from Jane’s Addiction.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 11 June 2025
Now comes their follow-up, with a soundalike title, but quite a different mood—more mournful, more anguished, more serious.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 30 May 2025
Resembling a young Nana Mouskouri, The Voice graduate sings about the bond between Greek refugees and their homeland in a touching, if slightly mournful, manner.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mournful
Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 19 June 2025
Unlike most of his hardcore predecessors, Yates has a knack for mournful melodies, and a voice that may remind some older listeners of Perry Farrell, from Jane’s Addiction.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 11 June 2025
Now comes their follow-up, with a soundalike title, but quite a different mood—more mournful, more anguished, more serious.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 30 May 2025
Resembling a young Nana Mouskouri, The Voice graduate sings about the bond between Greek refugees and their homeland in a touching, if slightly mournful, manner.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mournful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mournful
Adjective
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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
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
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That's the sad reality facing many dogs in the wider shelter system.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
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Know that all feelings are OK Some kids might be very sad or might be scared, and some kids might not have thought about this at all.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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That this show could mark a turning point for free speech and the First Amendment is just too depressing to contemplate.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
2 July 2025
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But already there are major depressing effects on the ports and warehousing that are important contributors to California's economy.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Maliciously or willfully disturbing a funeral, memorial service, procession or burial ceremony. Threatening, quarreling or challenging to fight someone, or fighting.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
16 June 2025
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Visitation will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. local time at the Springhill Cemetery in Madison, Tenn., while the funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Church.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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This gives the creditor an additional target to pursue and make very unhappy which can indirectly put pressure on the debtor to pay the judgment.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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Circulation increased and the publication won two Pulitzer Prizes, but the owner, conservative Harry Guggenheim, was unhappy with the paper’s shift to the left, and he and Moyers were divided over the Vietnam War and the 1968 presidential election.—
Carmel Dagan,
Variety,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The double talk that is presented by both Republicans and Democrats alike is pathetic.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
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Tehran's retaliation has, so far, been pathetic: a few missiles lobbed at an empty US base, complete with a heads-up.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Raymond Cheadle, Honesty’s great-uncle, told WUSA the family, including the girl’s dad, is heartbroken.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
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Pepe has the power to make two heartbroken Islanders immediately forget about their old connections.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Screenshot from a July 1 TikTok video of a depressed golden retriever waiting for her dog dad to return 1 1/2 years after a breakup.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
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Despite these efforts, the advertiser exodus of 2023 meant that X’s ad revenue was quite depressed.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mournful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mournful. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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