Definitions

woebegone

[woh-bi-gawn, -gon] / ˈwoʊ bɪˌgɔn, -ˌgɒn /

ADJECTIVE

depressed, troubled

Synonyms

WEAK

black bleak blue bummed out chapfallen cheerless crestfallen dejected despondent disconsolate dismal dispirited doleful down down-in-the-mouth downcast downhearted dreary forlorn gloomy grief-stricken grim hangdog hurting in pain long-faced low lugubrious melancholy miserable mournful sad shot down sorrowful unhappy woeful wretched

Antonyms

WEAK

enthused excited happy untroubled

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Like Clarence in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Gabriel is a bit of a woebegone misfit in a long coat who needs assistance from the humans he is supposed to be assisting.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

Alternately woebegone and hopeful, his star-studded “Lovin’ of the Game,” out Friday, is an ecstatic document of what the fiddle has meant to his story — and what he hopes to mean to its history.

From New York Times • Feb. 28, 2023

Kansas City instead marched methodically down field only to twice settle for field goals, leaving the woebegone Rams surprisingly within 13-3 lead at intermission.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 27, 2022

Williams put together perhaps the most woebegone effort of his college career, finishing 16 for 36 for 180 yards and a touchdown.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2022

Mother raised her woebegone eyes to look at Arm.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer

Vocabulary lists containing woebegone

Lord of the Flies

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Cry Me A River: Synonyms for "Sad"

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Henry IV, Part 2

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