—used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern
Life, alas, is too short.
Examples of alas in a Sentence
Interjection
Juliet's pitiful lament, “alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead!”.
Recent Examples on the Web
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2025
That part has changed, alas, and the menu has been updated, but the hospitality is just as warm.
—Jeannette Cooperman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2025
And all of the foraging skills and the world’s most positive mindset, alas, won’t be able to overcome food insecurity of that level.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 8 Aug. 2025
Even Nicole Kidman had gotten wind of it and at one point considered rolling up to the film’s rollicking post-premiere party on the beach with me in tow, but, alas, the Oscar winner was unable to break away from an official function.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for alas
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.
Interjection
But, alas, some want to deny Californians that choice.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2025
That part has changed, alas, and the menu has been updated, but the hospitality is just as warm.
—Jeannette Cooperman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2025
And all of the foraging skills and the world’s most positive mindset, alas, won’t be able to overcome food insecurity of that level.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 8 Aug. 2025
Even Nicole Kidman had gotten wind of it and at one point considered rolling up to the film’s rollicking post-premiere party on the beach with me in tow, but, alas, the Oscar winner was unable to break away from an official function.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for alas
Cite this Entry
“Alas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alas. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alas
interjection
—used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share