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plaintive

[playn-tiv] / ˈpleɪn tɪv /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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A “freewinstonwalters” TikTok account, which had more than 31,000 followers, regularly shared photos and videos of Walters, sometimes shirtless, often set to plaintive music.

From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026

The plaintive cry is that young Scottish footballers get a chance to play a part in all this, that clubs trust their youth for a change.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

Next up came the second part’s “Say It’s Not You,” George Jones’s plaintive, twangy ballad about a man’s fears that his gal is being unfaithful.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

The most egregious case is Sturgis’ Ru, who transforms over the course of the play from a jittery wreck into a vengeful, plaintive monster.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

As he spoke, they could hear loud scraping sounds on the door, followed by little plaintive cries, as if the witch’s children were babies crying for milk.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley


Vocabulary lists containing plaintive

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