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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
Oh dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 30 Jan. 2023 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
Noun
What a beautiful thing about the human species: A creature that actually seeks to feel the stresses of other lives, to feel pity, and hope and sorrow for — well, forgive me, dear friend — the fate of others. Samantha Dunn, Oc Register, 19 May 2025 Her face conveys, anger, fear, sorrow, resilience, curiosity. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sorrow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorrow
Verb
  • See how these teens are grieving — and healing — together.
    Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 29 May 2025
  • You are allowed to grieve the version of love that existed uniquely between the two of you.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • Our expectations are different, and then the grief can be a lot more, and the anger can be a lot more.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the series is described as an ensemble drama with comedy and heart about sisterhood, nature vs nurture, complicated family dynamics, and grief.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • But while friends and family of the teen mourned her premature death, anti-trans commentators on X turned Fosgate’s last posts into an whirlwind of transphobia — misgendering her, mocking her, and celebrating her family’s loss.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 31 May 2025
  • Mahaffey's husband, actor and director Joseph Kell, mourned her death in a statement to EW.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • The victim’s scream of anguish is captured in the video.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
  • Rite of Spring is the Pièce de resistance of the exhibition and features a mass of writhing bodies morphing into each other, women giving birth, androgynous figures and figures with expressions of anguish.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Can Joe hoist his aching knees and weary butt back in the competitive saddle?
    Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • But Kealoha offers Lilo a wellspring of sadness and aching loneliness just beneath the surface of her more impish qualities.
    EW.com, EW.com, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • When you are cheated on, the heartbreak and devastation that come with that.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 2 June 2025
  • For a club that has had glory and heartbreak walk hand-in-hand through the last several decades, Liverpool Football Club was once again enduring a dark moment that marred one of its brightest days.
    Julia Andersen, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Indoor rowing doesn’t have quite the same charm of being in a skiff on a river (sigh, if only), but the best rowing machine will still give you a great workout right at home.
    Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 May 2025
  • To preview upcoming album A Matter of Time, the rising singer-composer lets her frustration simmer above sighing harmonies and ornate string arrangements, producing a beautifully mad opening shot.
    Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sorrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorrow. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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