sorrowful

adjective

sor·​row·​ful ˈsär-(ˌ)ō-fəl How to pronounce sorrowful (audio)
-ə-fəl,
ˈsȯr-
1
: full of or marked by sorrow
a sorrowful goodbye
2
: expressive of or inducing sorrow
sorrowful eyes
sorrowfully
ˈsär-(ˌ)ō-f(ə-)lē How to pronounce sorrowful (audio)
-ə-f(ə-)lē
ˈsȯr-
adverb
sorrowfulness
ˈsär-(ˌ)ō-fəl-nəs How to pronounce sorrowful (audio)
-ə-fəl-
ˈsȯr-
noun

Examples of sorrowful in a Sentence

adopted a sorrowful tone of voice to read the news story about the former governor's death the cult seemed to be a sorrowful assemblage of emotionally scarred people seeking love and redemption
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Her countenance is icy and distant and her fight skills as formidable as her speed, but the persistent attentions of Johnny Storm eventually expose a softer side of her and a sorrowful history in the climactic stretch. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025 The piece is marked by contrasts between the warm, enveloping sounds of the horns and the jagged tension expressed through sighing, sorrowful calls of the clarinet and ominous timpani rolls. Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 11 July 2025 The dog's sorrowful face captured attention online, as internet users were horrified at what happened to such an old pup. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025 Members include a vicar with a lurid fantasy life, a clever and stifled housewife, a sorrowful retired accountant and a blowhard. New York Times, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sorrowful

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sorrowful was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Sorrowful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sorrowful. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

sorrowful

adjective
sor·​row·​ful ˈsär-ō-fəl How to pronounce sorrowful (audio)
ˈsȯr-,
-ə-fəl
1
: full of or showing sorrow
a sorrowful good-bye
2
: expressive of or causing sorrow
sorrowful eyes
sorrowfully adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on sorrowful

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