Definition of sorrynext
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as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness was sorry to see the family farm being sold

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Frustrated, confused, feeling sorry. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026 Instead, build a team that reaches out first, acknowledges disruptions, and says sorry before frustration boils over. Harvard Business Review, 20 Apr. 2026 Which may be a sad indication of what these sorry events did to each member of her family. Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026 With the Merseyside derby away at Everton next up on Sunday, this is no time for anyone to be feeling sorry for themselves. James Pearce, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sorry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorry
Adjective
  • The band felt embarrassed wearing those lame outfits.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Full lame-duck seasons like the one coming up here are rare; and for good reason.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The sad but realistic turns in their lives are engrossing, as is their slow convergence.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
  • While Vosk’s sassier Cee Cee holds her own in the churn, Barrett, also a fine singer but trapped in the straight-and-narrow part (with sadder wigs), gets swept out to sea.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Even without Bosa, 20 sacks is a pathetic number for a franchise that through the years has included fearsome edge players such as Tommy Hart, Cedrick Hardman, Charles Haley and Aldon Smith.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • With Juan Soto still sidelined, Alvarez has recently moved up to fifth in a so-far pathetic Mets lineup.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • May the world know that Americans are ashamed and suffering and locked into despair and destruction, which now affects the world.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
  • There’s nothing to be ashamed of with our locker room right now from this game.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Alex Cora was clearly unhappy towards the end.
    Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
  • There were thousands of unhappy Stagecoach festivalgoers on Saturday night, as the approximately 75,000-80,000 guests were forced to evacuate due to high winds.
    Emily Longeretta, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Based on the 1995 novel by Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic follows the witchy women of the Owens’ family, whose heartbroken ancestor cursed their bloodline so that any man who falls in love with an Owens woman dies a tragic death.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Instead, Janai Norman — the warm, radiant presence who had become the heart of weekend Good Morning America — said goodbye through a tearful Instagram video on April 3 that left loyal viewers blindsided and heartbroken.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The Braves couldn’t overcome a poor start from Reynaldo López and saw their six-game winning streak fall by the wayside in an 11-4 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday at Nationals Park.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 22 Apr. 2026
  • In the days leading up to his fatal overdose, Prince was in poor health and was forced to cancel shows in Atlanta.
    Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • These two beacons of truth and connoisseurs of mess have been bonded for over a decade, sharing the traumas of a crappy Boston dorm room and a pitiful Brooklyn dating scene.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Most of the time, experts say, vaguebooking boils down to a pitiful plea for attention on the part of the poster.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorry. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

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