Woebegone

Woebegone describes someone who appears deeply sad, sorrowful, or dejected. It conveys a sense of visible misery, often stemming from loss, disappointment, or hardship. The term suggests a marked absence of joy, accompanied by a downtrodden demeanor. Often characterized by a forlorn expression, drooping shoulders, and a general air of despair, a woebegone person evokes a feeling of pity and concern. The word paints a vivid picture of inner suffering reflected in outward appearance. The term can be applied to both people and, by extension, to creatures or even inanimate objects that reflect a similar state of despondency.

Woebegone meaning with examples

• After losing his beloved dog, little Timmy was a woebegone figure, his face streaked with tears as he clutched the empty leash. The vacant look in his eyes spoke volumes, the joy completely extinguished by grief. His parents tried to comfort him, but the despondency hung over him like a dark cloud.
• The weary traveler, lost in the storm, presented a woebegone sight, his clothes tattered and his face pale with exhaustion and hunger. He had walked for days without shelter, his spirit broken by the elements. He felt utter isolation and desolation as he sat alone in the cold.
• The formerly vibrant garden, now neglected and overgrown, looked woebegone; the drooping sunflowers and wilting roses were a reflection of the homeowner's recent misfortune. The vibrant colors had faded, reflecting the homeowner's own despair. Even the sun seemed to shine a little less brightly upon the desolation.
• The old, abandoned house stood woebegone on the hill, its windows like vacant eyes staring at the encroaching darkness, a testament to forgotten dreams and lost lives. It had not seen joy in decades. Its walls echoed the sorrow of its past, the very timbers seeming to weep with sadness, its peeling paint mirroring its sorrow.