What does doleful mean?

Doleful means sad, mournful, or expressing sorrow. It conveys a sense of deep and prolonged sadness, often with a feeling of hopelessness.

Here are some synonyms for doleful:

* Sorrowful

* Mournful

* Gloomy

* Melancholy

* Depressed

* Despondent

* Wailing

* Lugubrious

Examples:

* "The doleful sound of the funeral dirge filled the air."

* "Her doleful expression betrayed the pain she was feeling."

* "The doleful news of his death spread quickly through the town."

Origin:

The word "doleful" comes from the Middle English word "dolful," which itself comes from the Old English word "dol," meaning "sad" or "stupid."