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as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness was sorry to see the family farm being sold

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word sorry different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sorry are contemptible, despicable, pitiable, and scurvy. While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

When is contemptible a more appropriate choice than sorry?

The meanings of contemptible and sorry largely overlap; however, contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

When might despicable be a better fit than sorry?

The synonyms despicable and sorry are sometimes interchangeable, but despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

Where would pitiable be a reasonable alternative to sorry?

While in some cases nearly identical to sorry, pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

How are the words scurvy and despicable related as synonyms of sorry?

Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

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 sorry Though most sightings can be identified as planes, balloons, drones and weather events, the independent group says more sophisticated scientific research is needed, along with efforts to remove the stigma of reporting UFOs (sorry, UAP). Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025 But that's unfortunate, sorry that happened. Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 As the ancillary villains of the season (sorry, Heather Matarazzo and Steve Buscemi) drop like flies, Isaac becomes the last one standing, drawing the whole Addams clan to Nevermore’s Iago Tower in order to drain Pugsley of his spark powers. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025 The other kids have never been happier or more prepared for the standardized tests that will determine their futures, which means their parents are suddenly in love with Maria, and her overbearing principal is sorry for misjudging her. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sorry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorry
Adjective
  • Another main issue is that the power grind itself now being the endgame is no longer a good motivator to play, nor is the Tier system with 3s not much different than 4s or 5s, and all past weapons being somewhat lame now outside of that system entirely.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Paine proposed a lump sum payment of £15 (£2,306 in 2025) to everyone reaching the age of twenty-one and a £10 (£1,537 in 2025) annual pension for the blind and lame, as well as for those fifty and older.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • As Malcolm and Henry prepare to return home, they are met with the sad news that Isaac Grant (Brian McCardie) has died, throwing Malcolm into a new leadership position.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Happy for her but selfishly sad.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Jimmy Kimmel is a pathetic hate monger.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The festival was washed out by weather, promised luxury accommodations and food were nowhere to be found (except for some pathetic cheese sandwiches), and guests only stayed one night of what was supposed to be a two-week experience.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Losing to Philadelphia is nothing to be ashamed of, but Kansas City simply doesn't usually allow losses to pile on top of each other.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Also, Florida State and Oklahoma should be ashamed of themselves for scheduling Kent State.
    Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Kybella can be used as an alternative to surgery for patients who are unhappy with fat under their chin, also known as submental fullness, and have not seen improvement with diet and exercise, according to the manufacturers.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Folks felt exposed or excluded or some unhappy combination of both.
    Andrew Pasquier, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
  • And utterly heartbroken for Charlie’s young family.
    Amanda Castro Gabe Whisnant Anna Commander Toby Meyjes Shane Croucher John Feng Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The poll also found that 51% of respondents perceive the current state of the economy as poor, and 61% express a lack of confidence that the economy will improve next year.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Low User Adoption Due To Poor Onboarding The primary hurdle is often low user adoption due to poor onboarding and a steep learning curve.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The pitiful screaming of surviving family members can be heard.
    Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • As del Toro sees it, Frankenstein’s pitiful creation has been cursed with life, cannot be killed (even bullets don’t stop him) and must face the same existential crisis that confronts us all.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorry. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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