sorrowful
adjective
sor·row·ful
ˈsär-(ˌ)ō-fəl 
-ə-fəl,
ˈsȯr-
1
: full of or marked by sorrow
a sorrowful goodbye
2
: expressive of or inducing sorrow
sorrowful eyes
Examples of sorrowful in a Sentence
adopted a sorrowful tone of voice to read the news story about the former governor's death
the cult seemed to be a sorrowful assemblage of emotionally scarred people seeking love and redemption
Recent Examples on the Web
The sorrowful puppy dog eyes were all because the owner’s tuxedo cat was curled up among the blankets in Rocky’s crate (despite having a bed of his own).
—
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
The judges would look embarrassed and sorrowful.
—Laura Vazquez, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Anderson’s depiction of this process — a clever and orderly network of seemingly anonymous people performing clandestine miracles — is one of the most stirring aspects of the film, inspiring in its testament to mutual aid while sorrowful that such things have to exist at all.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2025
While Saturn might make this period feel sorrowful, remember that dreams take commitment and time.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sorrowful
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Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
The judges would look embarrassed and sorrowful.
—Laura Vazquez, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Anderson’s depiction of this process — a clever and orderly network of seemingly anonymous people performing clandestine miracles — is one of the most stirring aspects of the film, inspiring in its testament to mutual aid while sorrowful that such things have to exist at all.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2025
While Saturn might make this period feel sorrowful, remember that dreams take commitment and time.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sorrowful
Cite this Entry
“Sorrowful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sorrowful. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sorrowful
adjective
sor·row·ful
ˈsär-ō-fəl
ˈsȯr-,
-ə-fəl
1
: full of or showing sorrow
a sorrowful good-bye
2
: expressive of or causing sorrow
sorrowful eyes
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