1
as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning
adopted a sorrowful tone of voice to read the news story about the former governor's death
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sad
feeling unhappiness
the cult seemed to be a sorrowful assemblage of emotionally scarred people seeking love and redemption
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sorrowful
The best power-pop thrives on the simmering tension between joyous jangle and sorrowful sentiment, and Presley imbues Orange’s songs with a palpable sense of shame and regret that makes even its most ebullient tracks feel heavy.
—
Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 29 Apr. 2026
It’s based on an unconventional true story from recent history, set on the British Isles, with a tone that alternates between humorous and sorrowful before delivering an uplifting and humanist message, with skillfully invisible filmmaking that takes a backseat to the performances and story.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Retaliatory homicides of gang adversaries have spasmed for six years in Fort Worth, at times creating a sorrowful rhythm of tit-for-tat killings.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
Season 2’s prevailing tone is at once more serious and less sorrowful.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sorrowful
Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 29 Apr. 2026
It’s based on an unconventional true story from recent history, set on the British Isles, with a tone that alternates between humorous and sorrowful before delivering an uplifting and humanist message, with skillfully invisible filmmaking that takes a backseat to the performances and story.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Retaliatory homicides of gang adversaries have spasmed for six years in Fort Worth, at times creating a sorrowful rhythm of tit-for-tat killings.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
Season 2’s prevailing tone is at once more serious and less sorrowful.
—Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sorrowful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorrowful
Adjective
-
The pair end the episode romantically riding together with a mournful song playing, which is akin to Dutton-family love-making.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
-
The movie, with its period trappings and mournful jazz soundtrack, appears to be priming us for some old-fashioned moody film-noir fun.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
The failure of so many in the political world to speak up displays a sad and growing moral bankruptcy.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
-
Don’t be sad — this is not a farewell forever.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.—
David Mamet,
National Review,
11 Aug. 2022
-
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
-
Russian military boggers have a lot to be unhappy about.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
But affordability concerns have left many Americans unhappy about the economy, which could lead to major political ramifications for the midterm elections.—
Lucy Bayly,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Barragán’s mother was heartbroken to learn that Brian’s address placed him in Lagos.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
-
One of the heartbroken is his Richard Childress Racing teammate Austin Dillon, the grandson of Childress, a 2017 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee.—
Chase Jordan
May 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Margaret Prior is almost thirty, unmarried, depressed, and living with her overbearing mother.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
Morris is lonely and depressed.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
On Friday, the government said funeral wakes and gatherings of more than 50 people would be banned in northeastern Congo in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.—
Jean-Yves Kamale,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
-
Authorities in northeastern Congo have now banned funeral wakes and gatherings of more than 50 people, and armed soldiers and police are guarding some burials carried out by aid workers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the second round against the Sabres, the Canadiens adapted to a highly mobile and skilled defense corps that regularly jumped into the rush and made life miserable defensively.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
-
Their hitting coach, pitching coach and manager Kurt Suzuki‘s terrible management are much higher on the list of what’s wrong with this miserable team this year.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sorrowful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorrowful. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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