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Antonyms for plaintive


Grammar : Adj
Spell : pleyn-tiv
Phonetic Transcription : ˈpleɪn tɪv



Definition of plaintive

Origin :
  • late 14c., "lamenting," from Old French plaintif "complaining; wretched, miserable," from plainte (see plaint). Sense of "mournful, sad" first recorded 1570s. Related: Plaintively; plaintiveness.
  • adj pathetic, woebegone
Example sentences :
  • Yet the thought of her had persisted as a plaintive undertone through all the days after.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Burke inquired in desperation before the plaintive outburst.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • It is bitter in Baudelaire, sweet and plaintive in Lamartine, mystic in Verlaine.
  • Extract from : « De Profundis » by Oscar Wilde
  • Yet he managed to utter a plaintive thought, showing at least that he realised his position.
  • Extract from : « The Secret Agent » by Joseph Conrad
  • She clasped her hands, suddenly carrying her urgency to plaintive entreaty.
  • Extract from : « Alice Adams » by Booth Tarkington
  • Whereupon the plaintive voice of Cousin Egbert arose to me, "Just below my legs."
  • Extract from : « Ruggles of Red Gap » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • "It is you, Caron," he murmured in that plaintive voice of his.
  • Extract from : « The Trampling of the Lilies » by Rafael Sabatini
  • "I 'm not asleep, Fritz," said a weak, plaintive voice from the bed.
  • Extract from : « The Fortunes Of Glencore » by Charles James Lever
  • He became conscious of a plaintive sound in the wind, and froze to listen.
  • Extract from : « The Hoofer » by Walter M. Miller
  • And what sinking of the heart At the plaintive note that came!
  • Extract from : « Enamels and Cameos and other Poems » by Thophile Gautier

Synonyms for plaintive

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019