sorrow

play

noun sor·row \ ˈsär-(ˌ)ō , ˈsȯr- \

Definition of sorrow

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

See sorrow defined for English-language learners

See sorrow defined for kids

Examples of sorrow in a Sentence

I felt sorrow at the death of my friend.
a life filled with joys and sorrows
She had a secret sorrow.

Recent Examples of sorrow from the Web

Is there anything Chick-fil-A can do to ease the sorrow of phasing out their chicken salad sandwich from the menu?

— Southern Living, "Have Breakfast on Chick-fil-A," 29 Aug. 2017
Over-the-top comedic performances are balanced out by deeply sincere scenes of sorrow and horror in the shadows of the meat industrial complex.

— annalee newitz, Ars Technica, "New Netflix film Okja is sci-fi satire so sharp it will cut you," 9 July 2017
Dwight Adams/IndyStar Reactions on social media to the news of plans to close Broad Ripple, Northwest and Arlington high schools ranged from surprise to sorrow.

— joe tamborello, Indianapolis Star, "3 IPS high schools are closing and Twitter really cares about 1," 29 June 2017
BRB, drowning our sorrows in Adele's beautiful music.

— lynsey eidell, Glamour, "Adele Reveals She May Never Tour Again in a Handwritten Note to Fans," 29 June 2017
Laughter trumps sorrow in candid comedian Eddie Izzard’s Believe Me (Blue Rider).

— sloane crosley, Vanities, "What to Read Right Now: Brian Platzer’s Bed-Stuy Is Burning, Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, and More Books of the Summer," 19 June 2017
A man who had known sorrow, but was the more human for it.

— hilton lewis, Scientific American Blog Network, "In Memoriam: Jerry Nelson, Legendary Telescope Designer," 16 June 2017
Uptight Lisa is trying to deal with a bad breakup, inspiring her younger sister Kate to take her out on the town to drown her romantic sorrows and stop sulking.

— cary darling, kansascity.com, "‘47 Meters Down’ is thrilling summer fun," 16 June 2017
Uptight Lisa is trying to deal with a bad breakup, inspiring her younger sister Kate to take her out on the town to drown her romantic sorrows.

— cary darling, The Seattle Times, "‘47 Meters Down’ review: Shark tale is frighteningly fun," 15 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sorrow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sorrow

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

sorrow Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

sorrow

verb

Definition of sorrow

intransitive verb

:to feel or express sorrow

—

sorrower

play \ˈsär-ə-wər, ˈsȯr-\ noun

See sorrow defined for English-language learners

Examples of sorrow in a Sentence

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 of sorrow from the Web

A skull, a crucifix and the suggestion of a sorrowing Rubenesque nude press in on a naked man (possibly the artist) who may be leaving them behind.

— roberta smith, New York Times, "Painting From the 1980s, When Brash Met Flash," 9 Feb. 2017

First Known Use of sorrow

before 12th century

sorrow Synonyms

Synonyms

agonize, anguish, bleed, hurt, mourn, grieve, suffer

Related Words

ache, long (for), pine (away), sigh, smart; rack, torment, torture; bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament, rue; bawl, blubber, cry, groan, howl, keen, moan, sob, take on, wail, weep, yammer, yowl; languish; regret

Near Antonyms

beam, cheer, crow, delight, exult, glory, joy, laugh, ravish, rejoice, triumph; assure, cheer, comfort, commiserate, console, reassure, solace, soothe, sympathize

SORROW Defined for English Language Learners

sorrow

play

noun

Definition of sorrow for English Language Learners

: a feeling of sadness or grief caused especially by the loss of someone or something
: a cause of grief or sadness

sorrow

verb

Definition of sorrow for English Language Learners

: to feel or express sorrow

SORROW Defined for Kids

sorrow

play

noun sor·row \ ˈsär-ō \

Definition of sorrow for Students

1 :sadness felt after a loss (as of someone or something loved)

2 :a cause of grief or sadness

He moved away to forget his sorrows.

3 :a feeling of regret

Synonym Discussion of sorrow

sorrow, grief, and woe mean a feeling of great sadness. sorrow is used for a feeling that something has been lost and often feelings of guilt and regret.

- He expressed sorrow for having caused the accident.

grief is used for a feeling of great sorrow usually for a particular reason.

- She felt grief over the death of her pet.

woe is used for a feeling of hopelessness and misery.

- All my troubles left me in a state of woe.

sorrow

verb

Definition of sorrow for Students

sorrowed; sorrowing

:to feel or express sorrow :grieve

Learn More about sorrow

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sorrow Spanish Central: Translation of sorrow Nglish: Translation of sorrow for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sorrow for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up sorrow? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

sorrow

Definition of sorrow

Explore M-W

Examples of sorrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sorrow from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sorrow

sorrow Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of sorrow

sorrow

Definition of sorrow

sorrower

Examples of sorrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sorrow from the Web

First Known Use of sorrow

sorrow Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Phrases Related to SORROW

Related Phrases

SORROW Defined for English Language Learners

sorrow

Definition of sorrow for English Language Learners

sorrow

Definition of sorrow for English Language Learners

SORROW Defined for Kids

sorrow

Definition of sorrow for Students

Synonym Discussion of sorrow

sorrow

Definition of sorrow for Students

Learn More about sorrow

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Words of the Year: 1066