PATHOS Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

pathos

noun

Definition of pathos

as in sorrow

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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 pathos The comedy and the pathos and the edge and the emotion comes from truth. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 14 June 2026 The cast commits to the mounting insanity with every fiber of their being, bringing pathos and passion to these creatures of the night. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 7 June 2026 Eschewing the typical framework of a Rocky picture, Avildsen’s sequel regains some of the franchise’s lost pathos by once again making the title character human. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026 David Fine as Scorpius does an enormous amount of heavy lifting by injecting urgency and pathos, despite his character’s timid personality. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pathos

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pathos

Noun

The clouds begin to part The clouds of grief and sorrow that had enveloped Gounder with the approach of the World Cup were dispersed by the bright orange sun of a New York Knicks championship, the team’s first in 53 years.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
From shabby apartments to art experiments to filthy needles—with echoes of Patti Smith and Rebecca Makkai—Adler conjures an era of sorrow borne by too many, too young.

— Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026

Definition of sorrow

Noun

The centerless nature of Kiely’s grief unsettled him for a time.

— Laura Snapes, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026
Demanding a transparent investigation Salgado Araujo’s death has brought an outpouring of grief and calls for transparency, with activists and Texas Democratic lawmakers demanding all evidence from the scene be reviewed.

— Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Definition of grief

Noun

Andrade said the absence of an official passenger manifest deepened the anguish of dozens of families awaiting the arrival of Flight 164.

— Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
The series depicts the anguish of an interrupted boyhood and the awakening of a child’s conscience as their safest spaces erode.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026

Definition of anguish

Noun

Dimitrov, 35, is surging through the field one year after heartache on Centre Court, while Fery, the British 23-year-old, has grabbed the opportunity afforded to him by the tournament with both hands.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 July 2026
But Swift will want that right carved out in her prenuptial agreement to avoid potential heartache, according to multiple family attorneys.

— Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 3 July 2026

Definition of heartache

Noun

Monday’s match was to be Ronaldo’s last of this World Cup, ending in heartbreak for the 41-year-old soccer legend, with Portugal falling to Spain 1-0.

— Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
To the heartbreak of Genova’s many loyal, longtime customers, the deli closed its final Walnut Creek location in February, two months after shuttering its space on Treat Boulevard.

— Martha Ross, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Definition of heartbreak

Noun

The Dodgers still hold a very healthy 11½-game lead in the NL West, but hitting and defensive woes add up in a 5-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
Sonny Gray and the Red Sox shook off the travel woes that led to their late arrival to New York on Friday, beating the Mets 6-2 for their seventh straight win.

— Jerry Beach, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Definition of woe

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pathologists

pathos

paths

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“Pathos.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pathos. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pathos

noun

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