1
2
3
4
5
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness was sorry to see the family farm being sold

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6
7

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sorry different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sorry are contemptible, despicable, pitiable, and scurvy. While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

When is contemptible a more appropriate choice than sorry?

The meanings of contemptible and sorry largely overlap; however, contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

When might despicable be a better fit than sorry?

The synonyms despicable and sorry are sometimes interchangeable, but despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

Where would pitiable be a reasonable alternative to sorry?

While in some cases nearly identical to sorry, pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

How are the words scurvy and despicable related as synonyms of sorry?

Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sorry So, ah, sorry about all of that, literal generations of Murdochs. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025 Curiously, over the decades that followed, writers could not resist the urge to project a big fat chip (sorry) onto the shoulders of England’s capital city. Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025 Paige Spiranac isn't sorry for for flaunting her body online. Natasha Dye, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025 There are though enumerable other options available, sorry to say. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sorry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorry
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
    Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
  • Though the courts have not invariably ruled against Trump, the Administration’s record so far is, to use one of the President’s favorite words, sad.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The sad story of Alex Verdugo was one of the most puzzling dramas of the MLB offseason.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Read more The pathetic, slow-motion downfall of Barack Obama Houseguests and fish begin to smell after three days, as the saying goes.
    Aris Folley, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Regression was fair to expect, but man did the Canucks just look offensively pathetic most of the year.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The people running this organization should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025
  • That’s plain wrong, and the justices ought to be ashamed.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Some 59% of voters are unhappy with how things are going in the country.
    Dana Blanton, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Particularly now that Americans are unhappy with the state of economy.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • King was on an errand to pick up a snack for his mom when he was shot, heartbroken relatives said.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Downs recovered from her injuries but remained heartbroken over the loss of her friends and overwhelmed with survivor's guilt.
    Laurel Morales, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Road conditions are rapidly deteriorating, with the percentage of roads in poor condition expected to double in two years.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025
  • But academic research has consistently demonstrated that stadiums are poor drivers of economic growth and an analysis published last month found stadium projects spur little growth in local construction industries.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • So many of the latter comes thanks to Niecy Nash’s Nurse DiDi, who seems to take the time to see her patients as worthwhile much more often than her cohorts, the self-important Dr. Jenna James (Laurie Metcalf) and pitiful nurse Dawn (Alex Borstein).
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Look, everyone points to injuries as the reason for the pitiful performance so far this season, but a lot of teams are dealing with injuries.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorry. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sorry

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!