Simple Examples:
* The wind carried a plaintive cry from the distant shore.
* Her plaintive voice pleaded for understanding.
* The dog let out a plaintive whimper, hoping for attention.
More Complex Examples:
* The old, cracked bell tolled with a plaintive moan, signaling the end of an era.
* The plaintive melody of the violin seemed to echo the sadness in her heart.
* Despite the vibrant colors of the carnival, a plaintive undercurrent of melancholy lingered in the air.
* The plaintive wail of the ambulance siren pierced the silence of the night.
* His plaintive letter, filled with regret and longing, arrived just as she was leaving.
Figurative Examples:
* The abandoned house, with its boarded-up windows and overgrown yard, wore a plaintive expression of forgotten dreams.
* The fading photograph, its edges tinged with yellow, held a plaintive whisper of a love lost long ago.
These examples demonstrate how "plaintive" can be used to describe a range of sounds, emotions, and even objects. It suggests a sense of sadness, longing, or sorrow, often expressed in a gentle or mournful way.