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

Nothing comes of it, of course, until months later, when Corinne sees the news that Kiberlain is taking to the Paris stage in a production of the very same play, and bitterly confronts her outside the theater.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Perhaps the actor-director is trying to borrow a page from his bitterly funny David Fincher hit, Gone Girl (another kidnapping thriller, sort of), but Animals has none of that earlier picture’s wit or Grand Guignol extremes or gonzo structure.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of bitterly

Adverb

Give me Miller Park (American Family Field nowadays, sadly) in the World Series all day long.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Sure, there will likely be, sadly but understandably, no new Gaga album or tour in the immediate future—but that doesn’t mean her personal style is going anywhere.

— Christian Allaire, Vogue, 11 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

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“Plaintively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plaintively. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of plaintively

adverb

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