1
as in lame
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
one more sorry stunt like that and you'll be fired
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sad
causing unhappiness
we have sorry news to report tonight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
the ragtag circus was a sorry spectacle indeed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in ashamed
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done
she's genuinely sorry for hurting his feelings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness
was sorry to see the family farm being sold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in heartbroken
expressing or suggesting mourning
those sorry rituals that we go through when somebody dies are not for the dead but for the living
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in poor
deserving of one's pity
some sorry wretch had the task of putting all of those files back in order
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Miss Manners understands that people who have trouble saying no might be sorry to disappoint those who importune them.
—
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 15 July 2025
That, dear reader, is the sorry state of login security today.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
These are the kind of fragrances that strangers will stop you on the street to ask about (sorry).
—Wired, Wired News, 8 July 2025
For travelers who’d rather be safe than sorry, here’s how to check for bed bugs and how to avoid bringing them home.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sorry
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 15 July 2025
That, dear reader, is the sorry state of login security today.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
These are the kind of fragrances that strangers will stop you on the street to ask about (sorry).
—Wired, Wired News, 8 July 2025
For travelers who’d rather be safe than sorry, here’s how to check for bed bugs and how to avoid bringing them home.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 8 July 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
-
The sad reality is that Lucky really hasn't had all that much luck in his life to date.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
-
Collins, who has previously celebrated the unique pleasures of the early dinner, finds something to like about lunch in all its guises—the power lunch, the liquid lunch, even the sad desk lunch.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Phoenix assumes a pathetic and quietly arrogant demeanor as Joe, who speaks in a squeaky, exasperated cadence.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
17 July 2025
-
Enter Flores, who was hired shortly after that pathetic performance.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Some of my relatives are gluten free, a friend is allergic to bacon, and a co-worker (who shall go unnamed but should be ashamed) loathes mayonnaise.—
Sarah Schutte,
National Review,
27 July 2025
-
Adopt don't shop, anyone breeding dogs like this should be ashamed of themselves.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Things will become much clearer once Jenkins — who is unhappy with his current contract is currently sidelined with a back injury — begins practicing.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
27 July 2025
-
Galino is unhappy with how Jimenez is running his territory, and thinks Tommy can help the cartel get into the oil business.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 July 2025
Adjective
-
Ak’s heartbroken family are still reeling from her death.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
22 July 2025
-
Faced with no other option, the heartbroken family surrendered Draco to the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC), despite having loved and raised him for over five years.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
Spurred by climate change, Canadian wildfires have increasingly exacerbated poor air quality across Milwaukee and southern Wisconsin.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
-
Taking too many is poor etiquette and inconsiderate to other shoppers.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Once Bernstein landed on broadcast television, in the mid-fifties, such guides looked pitiful.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
-
The real version of Dave is equal parts pitiful and menacing, seductive and unable to fully pass himself as a normal person.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorry. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share