sob story

noun

: a sentimental story or account intended chiefly to evoke sympathy or sadness

Examples of sob story in a Sentence

She told a sob story about how she had to starve herself to pay for the rent. I don't want to hear any of your sob stories.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This was a big, fat softball thrown right over the middle of the plate for all three finalists — a chance to show off a personal sob story and connect with the jury on a deeply emotional level. Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Dec. 2025 This square might show up as wanting to do everything yourself financially while your friends are literally offering help, or being overly generous with your resources because someone’s sob story pulled on your heartstrings. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 7 Dec. 2025 This isn’t the first time Noa has brought up his ex with a sob story. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025 Better that the Democrat media stick to sob stories about cuddly animals. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sob story

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sob story was in 1913

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sob story.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sob%20story. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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