sorrow

1 of 2

noun

sor·​row ˈsär-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce sorrow (audio)
ˈsȯr-
1
a
: deep distress, sadness, or regret especially for the loss of someone or something loved
b
: resultant unhappy or unpleasant state
to their great sorrow they could not marry
2
: a cause of grief or sadness
3
: a display of grief or sadness

sorrow

2 of 2

verb

sorrowed; sorrowing; sorrows

intransitive verb

: to feel or express sorrow
sorrower noun
Choose the Right Synonym for sorrow

sorrow, grief, anguish, woe, regret mean distress of mind.

sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

Examples of sorrow in a Sentence

Noun I felt sorrow at the death of my friend. a life filled with joys and sorrows She had a secret sorrow. Verb a sorrowing mother, grieving over the death of her son the soldier's widow continued to sorrow long after her husband's last letter had turned yellow with age
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Wexton concluded her official statement by emphasizing her sorrow to conclude her public service in 2024. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023 Regardless of background or intent, the blues — in all its timeless nature of sadness and sorrow — is meant to actually connect and uplift, to bring forth solidarity in a shared moment of performance. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2023 In a sign of the show's growing maturity, Winning Time eschewed the frat house humor and dramatic exaggerations of the first season to depict Larry's love of his father with tenderness and sorrow. Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 21 Aug. 2023 Social media erupted with thousands of comments Friday night reminiscing on past experiences seeing Toki, her newest name adopted by advocates, at Miami Seaquarium and genuine sorrow for the beloved creature. Devoun Cetoute Miami Herald (tns), al, 18 Aug. 2023 World & Nation Sleepless in Kyiv: Nighttime Russian air campaign terrorizes Ukraine’s capital May 29, 2023 In a war that has left almost no family here untouched, his work draws on private sorrow. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2023 Madonna employs rain as a metaphor – washing away sorrow and pain to wipe the slate clean. 31. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2023 Now, all that’s left is a gray hazmat zone filled with the sorrow of what has been lost. Jacqueline Yoo, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2023 This powerful, deeply moving saga follows Grace and her descendants, women who share strength and sorrow. Staff Author, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2023
Verb
The challenge for the author is to write a pulse-pounding thriller without sorrowing over this injustice too much. Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2023 Finney-Smith has become fan favorite in Dallas, so much so that fan reaction on social media was split between excitement and shock that the Mavericks acquired eight-time All-Star Irving, but also sorrow about Finney-Smith departure. Dallas News, 6 Feb. 2023 The ghosts of their late partners are equally grief-stricken, but instead of succumbing to sorrow, the spirits decide to matchmake their survivors. People Staff, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023 Oh dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 30 Jan. 2023 As the story of SoulShine's contribution made its way onto the news and social media, people expressed appreciation for Garem and the company's creative contributions –and sorrow that the task was required. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 1 June 2022 As Russia celebrated its most emotional holiday commemorating the Nazi defeat in World War II, Putin appeared in Red Square to invoke pride and sorrow over the Soviet role then and to cast Russia’s battles in Ukraine now as such a just cause. Washington Post, 9 May 2022 The book is one of triumph and also sorrow, including the many Black actors and actresses who died young without ever finding the success their talents merited. Kate Tuttle, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Nov. 2021 And sorrow, as Marcus Arbery moved away from the line of charter buses and into the crowd of people standing where his youngest child had laid motionless and bleeding 20 months prior. Asia Simone Burns, ajc, 25 Oct. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sorrow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sorow, from Old English sorg; akin to Old High German sorga sorrow

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sorrow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sorrow

Cite this Entry

“Sorrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sorrow. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

sorrow

1 of 2 noun
sor·​row ˈsär-ō How to pronounce sorrow (audio)
ˈsȯr-
1
a
: sadness felt after a loss (as of something loved)
b
: a cause of grief or sadness
2
: a display of grief or sadness

sorrow

2 of 2 verb
: to feel or express sorrow : grieve

More from Merriam-Webster on sorrow

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