hangdog

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.

Once he starts singing his own material, he becomes a bona fide rock star — a moody Elvis who straddles rock, country, folk and pop with a hangdog bravura.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 11, 2025

A four-star review from The Telegraph praised McKellen, and said his performance "stirs the soul" as he plunges "from sackswilling, swaggering cheer to hangdog melancholy".

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2024

He has a flair for deadpan sarcasm and cynicism, a great hangdog expression, and you get him to sing in one scene.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2023

Michael D. Cohen, Mr. Trump’s hangdog former lawyer, is a key witness in the Manhattan district attorney’s case.

From New York Times • Mar. 31, 2023

The hangdog look left his eyes, and the hunch went out of his shoulders.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer