PLAINTIVELY Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

plaintively

adverb

as in bitterly

with feelings of bitterness or grief the man sighed plaintively as it became clear that he was getting nowhere with the officious bureaucrat

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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 plaintively Now he is stood plaintively at the window, looking in at the roaring hearth and the feast, starting Carabao Cup games but getting hooked at half-time with Jamie Gittens and 16-year-old academy kids. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 The evening tolling of the bell at the Hōshō-ji temple echoed plaintively. — Literary Hub, 28 May 2026 The video of Hodges crying out plaintively is the antithesis of how a cop wants to be seen. — Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026 As if to emphasize Marlo's point, an immature bald eagle called plaintively from the top of a nearby tree. — Crai S. Bower, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2023 Mia plaintively asks Philip at one particularly vulnerable moment. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plaintively

Adverb

The race is widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu's nearly unbroken 17-year rule, which had left Israelis bitterly divided on a host of issues even before the deadliest attack in the country's history.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
The race was widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu’s nearly unbroken 17-year rule, which had left Israelis bitterly divided on a host of issues even before the deadliest attack in the country’s history.

— Tia Goldenberg, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of bitterly

Adverb

Political and legal debates date back to ancient Rome and have been a key part of our nation, beginning with Lincoln-Douglas, yet experts say, sadly, are no longer perceived as necessary.

— Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
There is of course another way to hear ABBA songs sung live onstage, though sadly without Greek island backdrops or background singers wearing floppy swim fins.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of sadly

Adverb

Fra Fee, as Joe, has a slightly harder task, since his role is almost entirely reactive; while Ethan bangs on mournfully about, effectively, the dangers of shagging your brother’s wife — well, who would have thought?

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026
Mayfield watched mournfully in his kitchen while the rest of the family sat in the living room with the big screen next to a Christmas tree.

— John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026

Definition of mournfully

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plaintive

plaintively

plaintiveness

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“Plaintively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plaintively. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of plaintively

adverb

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