dolefully

comparative more dolefully · superlative most dolefully

1. In a doleful manner

   Men, bearded, hirsute, sat dolefully at the bar, eyes translucent from diurnal boozings.

   1989, Bill Kauffman, Every Man a King, page 220

   2 more examples

   […]she screamed in a voice made inarticulate by her shrill and immodest laughter, as the unfortunate man waded at last out of the black water, and stood gazing dolefully at his dirty stockings and shoes.

   1876, Oliver Madox-Brown, “The Dwale Bluth”, in William Rosetti, F. Hueffer, editors, The Dwale Bluth, Hebditch's Legacy, and Other Literary Remains, volume I, London: Tinsley Brothers, page 68

   Fitzgerald, who was at this moment engaged in a fierce confrontation with the Lady Anjilina, concurred dolefully, hitching his skirts with one hand and trying to hold off the expert swordsmistress with the other.

   2002, Paul Ebbs, The Book of the Still, BBC Worldwide, →ISBN, page 52

   Synonyms: deplorably, dolorously, grievously, lamentably, lugubriously, mournfully, plaintively, regrettably