—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
Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
The same, alas, cannot be said for Marsden, a generally likable actor who feels miscast here.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
But, alas, one club has to win every year.
—The Athletic, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Three of the finest films of 2025 received just two nominations apiece—none of them, alas, for Best Picture.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026
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Interjection
But, alas, Skip Schumaker’s first Rangers win came with the same kind of questions that dogged Bruce Bochy the last three years.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
The same, alas, cannot be said for Marsden, a generally likable actor who feels miscast here.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
But, alas, one club has to win every year.
—The Athletic, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Three of the finest films of 2025 received just two nominations apiece—none of them, alas, for Best Picture.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alas
Cite this Entry
“Alas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alas. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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alas
interjection
—used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern
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