dolorous

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "dolorous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is sorrowful or mournful, often in a literary or poetic context. Example: "The dolorous melody echoed through the empty halls, evoking a sense of deep sadness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The woman who meant everything to me wants to be free, free from me," he sings in dolorous capitulation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And now here she is, with her dark and dolorous music, which has been called many things.

The Guardian - Music

Even the public has turned against farmers, opposing a call by the National Farmers UnionNFUNfor for a cull of badgers which, the NFU says, transmit tuberculosis to cattle.Yet despite this dolorous litany, farmers have been doing fairly well in recent years.

The Economist

Since then, $3 trillion has been added, pushing the dolorous pile above $16 trillion.

The Economist

Any time the yield curve inverts, it is cause for concern... but given the combination of a hawkish Fed, and a seemingly unlimited supply of foreigners looking to lend money to America, it is not necessarily a harbinger of dolorous destiny.

The Economist

The event, part of London Fashion Week, was streamed live to Burberry stores and suburban laptops, allowing fashionistas everywhere to snatch a glimpse of the collections that will appear in stores next spring (see picture).But the show comes at a dolorous time for Burberry, which has seen investors flee like models from a chip butty.

The Economist

Huston then played a series of matriarchs, from the drolly dolorous Morticia in The Addams Family (1991) and its sequel, Addams Family Values (1993), to Cuban immigrant Carmela Perez in The Perez Family (1995) to a Buffalo Bills-obsessed housewife in the dark indie Buffalo '66 (1998).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her debut album largely consisted of slow, dolorous indie-pop covers.

Independent

And yet... and yet, why is it that there still remain few more dolorous phrases in current usage than "replacement bus service"; as in: "On behalf of Hull Trains I would like to advise passengers that due to the swing bridge at Goole being stuck, this service will terminate at Selby, from where a replacement bus service will operate to Doncaster".

Independent

I've heard early mixes of six songs, and each of them, like the aforementioned single, is moody and meditative, imbued with the spirit of dolorous trip-hop.

Independent

An alternate (original?) version of "Factory", "Come On (Let's Go Tonight)", follows the same dolorous footsteps but does it with David Lindley's fiddle drone, slightly different lyrics and a wholly developed sense of the beauty in austerity.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dolorous" to add a formal, literary tone when describing profound sadness or grief. It's particularly effective in settings where a more elevated vocabulary is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "dolorous" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound out of place and pretentious in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "dolorous" functions to describe a state or quality marked by sorrow, pain, or grief. Ludwig provides examples where it modifies nouns such as "capitulation", "music", "litany", and "destiny", effectively conveying a sense of profound sadness or suffering.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dolorous" is a formal adjective used to describe something sorrowful or mournful. Ludwig's AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media and encyclopedic contexts. While it effectively conveys deep sadness, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding informal settings where its elevated tone might seem out of place. Consider alternatives like "mournful" or "sorrowful" for broader applicability. As Ludwig's examples show, "dolorous" adds a distinct literary flavor to writing when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mournful

Focuses on the expression of grief, often associated with loss.

sorrowful

Emphasizes a deep feeling of sadness and regret.

lugubrious

Suggests an exaggerated or affected sense of sadness.

melancholy

Describes a thoughtful sadness, often with a sense of longing.

woeful

Highlights the distress and suffering caused by a situation.

plaintive

Conveys a sense of sorrow through sound, like a mournful cry.

lamentable

Indicates something that is regrettable or worthy of mourning.

grievous

Emphasizes the severity and seriousness of the sorrow.

heartbroken

Describes a state of intense emotional pain and sadness.

dejected

Suggests a feeling of low spirits and discouragement.

FAQs

How to use "dolorous" in a sentence?

Use "dolorous" to describe something that expresses or causes sorrow or pain. For example, "The "dolorous melody" filled the room" or "He recounted his "dolorous tale" of loss".

What can I say instead of "dolorous"?

You can use alternatives like "mournful", "sorrowful", or "melancholy" depending on the specific shade of sadness you want to convey.

What is the difference between "dolorous" and "sad"?

"Dolorous" is a more formal and literary term than "sad", suggesting a deeper and more profound sense of sorrow. While "sad" is commonly used in everyday language, "dolorous" is reserved for more serious or poetic contexts.

Is "dolorous" a positive or negative word?

"Dolorous" is a negative word, as it describes something that is sorrowful, painful, or causing distress. It is never used to express happiness or joy.