—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
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
This quality didn’t wear as well on Leslie Knope, or perhaps the supporting characters didn’t do enough to balance her out, or perhaps, alas, a bumbling woman just read differently.
—Jennifer Armstrong, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026
Maverick’s invisibility should provide a way out of this — but alas, his pungent cologne immediately sets off Dogknott’s super-scent.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
His body, alas, had other ideas.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alas
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Interjection
There’s still a chance Bosa could unite with big brother, Joey Bosa, and dreamers will fantasize for Myles Garrett, but, alas, this pre-draft story is about unproven prospects.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
This quality didn’t wear as well on Leslie Knope, or perhaps the supporting characters didn’t do enough to balance her out, or perhaps, alas, a bumbling woman just read differently.
—Jennifer Armstrong, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2026
Maverick’s invisibility should provide a way out of this — but alas, his pungent cologne immediately sets off Dogknott’s super-scent.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
His body, alas, had other ideas.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 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 30 Apr. 2026.
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alas
interjection
—used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern
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