sorrow

noun

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sor·row | \ ˈsär-(ˌ)ō

, ˈsȯr- \

Definition of sorrow

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

verb

sorrowed; sorrowing; sorrows

Definition of sorrow (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to feel or express sorrow

Other Words from sorrow Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about sorrow

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Choose the Right Synonym for sorrow

Noun

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 Who knows, after all, if the other party (or someone in their family) might be sick, or has lost their job, or has even just reached a new low of sorrow and terror. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, "Why It Feels So Good to Chat About Vaccines," 29 Mar. 2021 We are hurt, exhausted, full of sorrow and angry—rightfully so. — Eric Nam, Time, "If You're Surprised by the Anti-Asian Violence in Atlanta, You Haven't Been Listening. It's Time to Hear Our Voices," 19 Mar. 2021 The scenes that follow are quiet, full of immeasurable sorrow, and quite complex, an aftermath that intertwines revenge and resignation, forbearance and even forgiveness, if not for this generation, then maybe for the next. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "In ‘Quo Vadis, Aida?,’ a final horror in a century filled with horror," 17 Mar. 2021 March has brought both sorrow and salvation for Jeremy Puckett. — Raheem Hosseini, San Francisco Chronicle, "He was freed after 19 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Then came the COVID lockdown," 16 Mar. 2021 The disappearance of a 33-year-old London woman last seen walking home from a friend’s house last week has spurred an outpouring of sorrow and outrage from British women, who say the case highlights the danger women face in their day-to-day lives. — Carlie Porterfield, Forbes, "How Sarah Everard’s Disappearance Sparked A Social Media Movement," 11 Mar. 2021 Stevens gives just the right touch of weary sorrow to these words. — Vulture Staff, Vulture, "Vulture Staff For Your Considerations," 10 Mar. 2021 Here are the answers: There is tremendous fury and sorrow throughout Black Indianapolis. — IndyStar, "Everyone counted these kids out. But this 38th Street football team defies expectations.," 1 Mar. 2021 Hamm’s ordeal to a classically African-American way of processing sorrow. — Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, "Sorrows of Black America," 22 Feb. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Combining formal audacity with emotional intimacy and sharp social observation, the picture attains a fullness of humorous, sorrowing life. — Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, "Artist Noah Davis died tragically at age 32. A New York show reveals a great lost talent.," 30 Jan. 2020 Playful and poignant in equal measure, Wheaton’s compositions are profoundly moving, evoking both loss and resilience — the sorrowing look back, and the hopeful look forward. — Rand Richards Cooper, courant.com, "In Our Midst: Gabriel Wheaton’s classical, contemporary, opulent and wildly eclectic one-man band," 15 Nov. 2019 Chili’s Wash away all your tax day sorrows with a $5 Cuervo Blue Margarita, made with silver tequila, blue Curacao and pineapple juice. — Madison Roberts, PEOPLE.com, "All the Restaurants Where You Can Get Free Food on Tax Day," 9 Apr. 2018 In some places, lynchings were accompanied by mob destruction of black business districts, adding economic devastation to sorrow. — Vanessa Gregory, New York Times, "A Lynching’s Long Shadow," 25 Apr. 2018 Ashton Kutcher isn’t the type to drown his breakup sorrows with a carton of ice cream and a box of tissues. — Mike Miller, PEOPLE.com, "Ashton Kutcher Fasted for a Week in the Woods After Demi Moore Divorce: 'I Started to Hallucinate'," 20 Feb. 2018 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

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.

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Last Updated

31 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Sorrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sorrow. Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for sorrow

sorrow

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sorrow

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

: a cause of grief or sadness

sorrow

verb

English Language Learners Definition of sorrow (Entry 2 of 2)

formal + literary : to feel or express sorrow

See the full definition for sorrow in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sorrow

noun

sor·row | \ ˈsär-ō

Kids Definition of sorrow

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

sorrow

verb

sorrowed; sorrowing

Kids Definition of sorrow (Entry 2 of 2)

: to feel or express sorrow : grieve

Choose the Right Synonym for sorrow

Noun

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.