alas

1 of 2

interjection

Synonyms of alasnext
used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern
Life, alas, is too short.

Alas

2 of 2

abbreviation

Examples of alas in a Sentence

Interjection Juliet's pitiful lament, “alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead!”.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Interjection
Wine, alas, was not part of the prescription. Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 7 June 2026 Brady, Rodgers, Drew Brees, Patrick Mahomes and (alas) Deshaun Watson were the only other Tier 1 quarterbacks over those two seasons. Mike Sando, New York Times, 5 June 2026 So many others around the world did—and, alas, do. Literary Hub, 26 May 2026 The latter, alas, doesn’t seem to get talked about much anymore, perhaps all the less so in the Name, Image and Likeness era — in which players increasingly seem more to be employees than student-athletes. Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for alas

Word History

Etymology

Interjection

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from a ah + las weary, from Latin lassus — more at lassitude

First Known Use

Interjection

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alas was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alas. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

alas

interjection
used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern

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