plaintively adv 1: in a plaintive manner; "the last note of the song rang out plaintively"
Plaintive \Plain"tive\, a. [F. plaintif. See {Plaintiff}, n.] 1. Repining; complaining; lamenting. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. Expressive of sorrow or melancholy; mournful; sad. "The most plaintive ditty." --Landor. [1913 Webster] -- {Plain"tive*ly}, adv. -- {Plain"tive*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]
19 Moby Thesaurus words for "plaintively": brokenheartedly, complainingly, dolefully, dolorously, fretfully, grieffully, grievously, groaningly, lamentingly, moanfully, mournfully, peevishly, petulantly, querulously, ruefully, sorrowfully, tearfully, wailfully, woefully