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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 Macy is the practical one, looking at the sorry finances and trying to keep the clan on course, turning to religion for support as well as a cast member of the troupe, Kyle (Simon Rex) who offers her some empathy and perhaps more (at least that is what we are told later) missing from her life. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 June 2025 With their sorry stretch dating back to the ninth inning of Saturday’s loss to the Red Sox, the Bombers mustered four hits against a weak Halos pitching staff led by starter Kyle Hendricks. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025 Plus, sorry to the folks who aspire to that Jane Austen type of love, but life doesn't always work out that way, okay? Jessica Wang, EW.com, 13 June 2025 With Los Angeles production levels in a sorry state, underemployed workers are flocking to a format that’s faster, shorter, cheaper and quite literally overturns film and TV norms. Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 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
  • Two screenshots from the video showing Ollie was a sad facial expression.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
  • The building directly across the street stands in sad disrepair, its windows smashed, swathed in graffiti, a front garage door hangs half-open.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Nevertheless, the squad needs to shift strategies and Sonny is here to take them from pathetic to aggressive.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
  • Jarvis’ performance is transformative, making Mark both pathetic and feverishly alive, his corrosive remorse seemingly genuine.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • City leaders should be ashamed for letting this issue get so out of hand.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
  • Her advice to others facing this journey is to speak openly, accept support, and don’t be ashamed to ask for help.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • The root of the fallout was the Who (and specifically Daltrey) being unhappy with Starkey’s performance when the band played a pair of Teenage Cancer Trust charity shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
  • On Friday, Devers alluded to being unhappy with how the Red Sox treated him.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • And before long, his pig is stolen, leaving him heartbroken.
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Once the game is over, pink soldiers approach Yong-sik to shoot him and ensure that he’s eliminated, despite Geum-ja’s heartbroken pleas.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Despite having a poor 2024 season that saw the Pirates remove Bednar from the closer role, the right-hander is back to his dominant form.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
  • The key drivers are BGE’s soaring spending and profits and poor management by PJM Interconnection, the private entity that operates our electric grid.
    Emily Scarr, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • For example, the 1890s saw the Royal Observatory hire women for the first time, who worked for a pitiful wage as 'computers' to examine and refine observational data.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 22 June 2025
  • There is nothing deficient, unnatural or pitiful about being single, as we’re often led to believe.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorry. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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