Definition

Adjective: Showing or expressing sorrow; mournful, grievous.

Usage

The adjective "dolorous" describes something that is full of, expresses, or causes sorrow, grief, or distress. It is a formal and somewhat literary word.

Examples

• The widow's dolorous expression spoke of her profound grief.
• The entire nation listened to the dolorous news of the leader's passing.
• He let out a long, dolorous sigh.

Advanced Usage

• Dolorous tone/voice/lament: Used to describe a manner of speaking or a sound that conveys deep sadness.
  • The poet recited the verses in a dolorous tone that moved the audience to tears.

Variants and Related Words

• Dolor (noun, literary): A state of great sorrow or distress.
  • She bore her dolor with quiet dignity.
• Dolourous (adjective): An alternate, chiefly British spelling of "dolorous."

Synonyms

• Mournful: Feeling or expressing sorrow, often for someone's death.
• Sorrowful: Full of or showing sadness.
• Woeful: Characterized by, expressive of, or causing sorrow or misery.
• Lugubrious: Looking or sounding sad and dismal, sometimes excessively so.

Antonyms

• Joyful: Feeling or expressing great happiness.
• Cheerful: Noticeably happy and optimistic.
• Jubilant: Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Dolorous countenance: A facial expression showing deep sorrow.
  • Despite the celebration, a dolorous countenance betrayed his inner pain.

Adjective

1. showing sorrow