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Doleful vs Piteous - What's the difference?

doleful | piteous | Synonyms |

Doleful is a synonym of piteous.


As adjectives the difference between doleful and piteous

is that doleful is filled with grief, mournful, bringing feelings of sadness while piteous is pitiful; evincing pity, compassion, or sympathy.

doleful

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Filled with grief, mournful, bringing feelings of sadness.
  • The doleful peal of the bell indicated another funeral was being held.

    piteous

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • pitiful; evincing pity, compassion, or sympathy.
  • * Shakespeare
  • The most piteous tale of Lear.
  • (obsolete) pious; devout
  • * Wyclif
  • The Lord can deliver piteous men from temptation.
  • (obsolete) compassionate; tender
  • * Alexander Pope
  • [She was] piteous of his case.
  • (obsolete) paltry; mean; pitiful
  • (Milton)

    Synonyms

    * pathetic

    Derived terms

    * piteously