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sorrow

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sorrow different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of sorrow are anguish, grief, regret, and woe. While all these words mean "distress of mind," sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

When might anguish be a better fit than sorrow?

While in some cases nearly identical to sorrow, anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

When is it sensible to use grief instead of sorrow?

The synonyms grief and sorrow are sometimes interchangeable, but grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

When would regret be a good substitute for sorrow?

In some situations, the words regret and sorrow are roughly equivalent. However, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

When can woe be used instead of sorrow?

The words woe and sorrow can be used in similar contexts, but woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sorrow
Verb
As the story of SoulShine's contribution made its way onto the news and social media, people expressed appreciation for Garem and the company's creative contributions –and sorrow that the task was required. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 1 June 2022 As Russia celebrated its most emotional holiday commemorating the Nazi defeat in World War II, Putin appeared in Red Square to invoke pride and sorrow over the Soviet role then and to cast Russia’s battles in Ukraine now as such a just cause. Washington Post, 9 May 2022
Noun
The book, which spans the twenty-odd years of Mii’s life, describes the daily joys and intimacies of having a pet, the difficulties that come with an aging cat, and the sorrows of outliving one’s animal companion. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025 Tomorrow is the day this profound sorrow renews my motivation. Bluesky Social, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sorrow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorrow
Verb
  • Bravo’s grieving family were further frustrated by the California Highway Patrol’s decision not to issue an Amber Alert — the statewide alert activated by authorities to help find missing children — after Lee and the children disappeared.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Not just consuming but diving in, getting outraged, grieving, swooning.
    Leila Herrmann, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Although some in the media distort the anger directed at Rowling from trans activists, trans people, and allies, the truth is those feelings — not just anger, but betrayal and grief — are justified.
    Aja Romano, Vox, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The film tells the story of a tech entrepreneur (Vincent Cassel) grappling with memory and grief.
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Also, the episode opens with the introduction of Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby with a group of Fireflies, seemingly mourning the losses at the hospital where Joel murdered everyone to save Ellie.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Dominican communities, which are heavily Christian, will celebrate the holidays while mourning the Jet Set roof collapse.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In the episode, Duran describes his mental anguish during that time and some of the steps he’s taken since then to improve his mental health.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • And all of that anguish of going through that process of retrying to develop my body in a way that will never be the same anyway.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Toronto has, for years, been aching for a superstar to stay in its midst.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • That day, an elbow that ached throughout his rehab from Tommy John surgery gave way.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In the immediate aftermath of a sports fan’s heartbreak, there is that sliver of time during which all the emotion passes across their face.
    Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Rose has had an underreported sum of major championship heartbreak since winning the U.S. Open at Merion a dozen years ago.
    Justin Ray, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • There’s no place like home Lakers coach JJ Redick sighed at my question postgame Wednesday, the words potentially poking at the mythical forces that determine whether your team is lucky or not.
    Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Most bands would have sighed and shaved a few numbers off their setlist.
    Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sorrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorrow. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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