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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
Its most beautiful and bracing imagery is that of cotton fields plumbed by sharecroppers, endless skies and dusty roads, the verdant expanse of a land that has witnessed so much sorrow. Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025 My old routine was to gamble on the harness ponies at the now-defunct Hazel Park Raceway, then drown my post-loss sorrows in four slices of Detroit’s finest square pie. David Weiss, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sorrow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorrow
Verb
  • Scammers have been known to impersonate the deceased to exploit grieving friends and family.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Out West in Colorado, mourners grieved not only the passing of a spiritual guide but for a leader who was deeply engaged with the world's most urgent issues.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 21 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
  • Under the blasting sun, mourners prayed, celebrated, and mourned the life of the late pope.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The pontiff, who died of a stroke on Monday, April 21, was mourned and celebrated with a Mass in the square outside St. Peter's Basilica, as is tradition.
    Adam Carlson, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But Season 2, by leaning so far into its characters’ anguish, has become more circular and suffocating in its storytelling.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Coogler attempts to out-scare Jordan Peele’s Get Out, using horror tropes to match the anguish expressed by the blues.
    Armond White, National Review, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Warm baths, heating pads, or warm socks can comfort aching feet.
    Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Williams recalled visiting 10 doctors over four years, trying to figure out what was causing her symptoms, including aching limbs, fatigue and chronic diarrhea.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • What was supposed to be a championship chase has instead turned into heartbreak.
    Brian Sampson, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The heartbreak and breakup that follows ends up being only table-setting for the film’s latter half.
    Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 25 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 1 May. 2025.

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