Definitions

woeful

[woh-fuhl] / ˈwoʊ fəl /

ADJECTIVE

terrible, sad

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appalling awful calamitous deplorable disappointing disastrous dreadful feeble grim lamentable lousy miserable paltry pathetic pitiful shocking sorry wretched

WEAK

afflicted agonized anguished bad catastrophic cruel disconsolate disgraceful distressing doleful gloomy grieving grievous heartbreaking heartrending heartsick hopeless inadequate mean mournful piteous pitiable plaintive poor racked rotten sorrowful tortured tragic unfortunate unhappy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

blessed cheerful comforting encouraging excellent fortunate good happy hopeful joyful lucky nice pleasing rich satisfactory wealthy wonderful worthwhile

WEAK

glad

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.

Woeful, a young woman at the table reacts: “I should have voted.”

From Salon • Sep. 28, 2024

The setting also lacks specificity; except for the basketball, the season doesn’t feel as if it takes place in the state of Indiana so much as The State of Our Woeful Nation.

From New York Times • Jan. 5, 2016

Woeful defending but that was postage-stamp stuff from Mahrez.

From The Guardian • Dec. 14, 2015

Woeful that anyone who plays passing football now resembles Arsenal.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2010

And Woeful will be the plight of those between whom mutual confidence is not then established.

From Hints for Lovers by Haultain, T. Arnold (Theodore Arnold)

Vocabulary lists containing woeful

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

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Novel Study: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Chapters 1–6

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The Door in the Wall

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!