adjective
1.
full of or expressive of woe
a woeful countenance
Synonyms: afflicted, doleful, dolent, dolorous, miserable, rueful, ruthful, sorrowful, wretched
Related Word: harrowed, racked, tortured, wrung; crushed, overcome, stricken; disconsolate, heartsick, inconsolable; dejected, depressed, dispirited, downcast, downhearted, low-spirited
Idioms: cut to the heart, cut up, in the dumps ( or depths or doldrums), on the rack
Contrasted words: content, satisfied; easy, peaceful, quiet; cheerful, gay, lighthearted
Antonyms: joyful
2.
Synonyms: melancholy 2, doleful, dolesome, dolorous, lamentable, lugubrious, mournful, plaintive, rueful, sorrowful
3.
Synonyms: deplorable , afflictive, calamitous, dire, distressing, grievous, heartbreaking, lamentable, regrettable, unfortunate
Related Word: dismal, grave, sad; unprecedented