sorry

adjective

sor·ry | \ ˈsär-ē

, ˈsȯr-\

sorrier; sorriest

Definition of sorry

1 : feeling sorrow, regret, or penitence

2 : mournful, sad

3 : inspiring sorrow, pity, scorn, or ridicule : pitiful their affairs were in a sorry state

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

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Other Words from sorry

sorrily \ ˈsär-ə-lē

, ˈsȯr- \ adverb

sorriness \ ˈsär-ē-nəs

, ˈsȯr- \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for sorry

contemptible, despicable, pitiable, sorry, scurvy mean arousing or deserving scorn. contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values. a contemptible liar despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation. a despicable crime pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity. a pitiable attempt at tragedy sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness. this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust. a scurvy crew of hangers-on

Examples of sorry in a Sentence

I'm sorry if I offended you. She was sorry to hear about their divorce. I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sorry for saying that. I'm sorry that I wasted your time. What a sorry state of affairs we're in now. That's the sorriest excuse I've heard.

Recent Examples on the Web

As to other giveaways and takeaways, sometimes sorry is not enough. — Leah Garchik, SFChronicle.com, "San Rafael Pacifics’ personal tribute to fatherhood," 20 June 2018 The whole sorry event should be a seminal moment in the evolution of news. — Gerard Baker, WSJ, "From Covington Catholic to an Uneasy Davos," 25 Jan. 2019 This is the flip side of Mr. Trump’s own sorry failure to continue the mystifications that power uses to conceal its dilemmas. — Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, "Politicians Never Lied Before Trump," 11 Jan. 2019 Many fans felt the video came off like Lee wasn't truly sorry and instead was using it to seek sympathy and forgiveness. — Zoe Weiner, Allure, "Laura Lee Is Attempting to Apologize Again for Her Controversial Tweets," 27 Sep. 2018 The point isn’t to feel sorry for Mr. Trump, whose rhetorical attacks on the press have often been contemptible. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "The Constant Spin Zone," 26 Dec. 2018 Make no mistake though, Kelly doesn’t feel too sorry for herself. — Alisa Wolfson, Country Living, "Kelly Clarkson Reflects on Feeling 'Alone' After Winning 'American Idol'," 23 Dec. 2018 The premium cabin game continues to heat up, and Delta's back—with some sweet suite news (sorry not sorry). — Katherine Lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "Delta One Suites Coming to More Flights This Fall," 2 Aug. 2018 The real thing to be sorry for is that more people haven’t learned that, yet. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Men Need to Say Sorry More," 31 July 2018

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