plaintive
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.
The brass band pauses, leaving a plaintive solo violin hanging in the air—in Bruch’s description, “an old bard who contemplates a ruined castle and laments the glorious times of old.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
A “freewinstonwalters” TikTok account, which had more than 31,000 followers, regularly shared photos and videos of Walters, sometimes shirtless, often set to plaintive music.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
The most egregious case is Sturgis’ Ru, who transforms over the course of the play from a jittery wreck into a vengeful, plaintive monster.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
He's done so much in the Scotland jersey, but the "Super John McGinn" song has now become more of a plaintive cry than a statement of fact.
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026
There was a plaintive note to its voice.
From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi
Vocabulary lists containing plaintive
Grade 11, List 1
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Things Fall Apart
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Night
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