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Woebegone - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Woebegone describes someone or something looking extremely sad, sorrowful, or pitiful, often with a drooping or disheartened appearance. It conveys deep unhappiness or weariness.

woebegone

/ˈwoʊbɪˌɡɔn/ /ˈwəʊbɪˌɡɒn/

Definition:

Looking sad or miserable, often due to grief or distress.

Synonyms:

sorrowful, mournful, dejected, melancholy

Part of Speech:

adjective

Antonyms:

cheerful, joyful

Common Collocations:

woebegone expression, woebegone face, woebegone look

Derivatives:

woebegoneness (rare)

Usage Tips:

Use "woebegone" to describe someone’s appearance when they seem deeply sad or pitiful.

Common Phrases:

woebegone and forsaken, a woebegone figure

Etymology:

From Middle English "wo begon," meaning "beset by woe."

Examples:

  • 1. His woebegone face revealed his heartbreak after the loss.
  • 2. She sat alone with a woebegone expression all evening.
  • 3. The abandoned puppy had a woebegone look in its eyes.
  • 4. His woebegone sigh hinted at unspoken troubles weighing on him.
  • 5. The old man’s woebegone demeanor softened the hearts of passersby.

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