SORROW Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sorrow' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of sorrow are anguish , grief , regret , and woe . While all these words mean "distress of mind," sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse. // a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

Q: When might 'anguish' be a better fit than 'sorrow'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sorrow , anguish suggests torturing grief or dread. // the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

Q: When is it sensible to use 'grief' instead of 'sorrow'?

The synonyms grief and sorrow are sometimes interchangeable, but grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause. // the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

Q: When would 'regret' be a good substitute for 'sorrow'?

In some situations, the words regret and sorrow are roughly equivalent. However, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse. // nagging regret for missed opportunities

Q: When can 'woe' be used instead of 'sorrow'?

The words woe and sorrow can be used in similar contexts, but woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery. // cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

sorrow 1 of 2

verb

Definition of sorrow

as in to grieve

to feel deep sadness or mental pain the soldier's widow continued to sorrow long after her husband's last letter had turned yellow with age

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sorrow

2 of 2

noun

ˈsär-(ˌ)ō

as in grief

deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved he felt great sorrow at the loss of his beloved dog

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word sorrow different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of sorrow are anguish, grief, regret, and woe. While all these words mean "distress of mind," sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

When might anguish be a better fit than sorrow?

While in some cases nearly identical to sorrow, anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

When is it sensible to use grief instead of sorrow?

The synonyms grief and sorrow are sometimes interchangeable, but grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

When would regret be a good substitute for sorrow?

In some situations, the words regret and sorrow are roughly equivalent. However, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

When can woe be used instead of sorrow?

The words woe and sorrow can be used in similar contexts, but woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

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 sorrow

Verb

The ghosts of their late partners are equally grief-stricken, but instead of succumbing to sorrow, the spirits decide to matchmake their survivors. — People Staff, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023 Oh dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. — Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 30 Jan. 2023

Noun

As an investigation into the 18-month-old boy's death continues, the academy's owner shared her sorrow for the grieving parents. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 The lyrics describe the sorrows of a family separated by slavery, and Frederick Douglass praised the song for awakening abolitionist sentiments. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sorrow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorrow

Verb

Organ and whole body donation are often understood as the ultimate selfless acts — a grieving family using their loss to improve someone else’s life, or further scientific research.

— Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
Even after bones heal and surgeries succeed, experts say recovery can mean coming to terms with what injuries have changed and giving yourself permission to grieve those losses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026

Definition of grieve

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

Verb

Symptoms resemble other types of pneumonia and can include fever, chills, muscle aches, and cough.

— Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome causes fatigue, fever, muscle aches, abdominal problems, headaches, chills and dizziness in the early stages, and late symptoms include chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath and lungs filling with fluid.

— Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of ache

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

Verb

In the series premiere of Netflix’s Vladimir, Rachel Weisz awakens from troubled sleep to a cascade of texts, sighs deeply, and addresses the camera with pleading eyes.

— Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026
Yet another review of EAR audio found that people who sighed frequently were not necessarily burdened by negative emotions.

— Shayla Love, New Yorker, 8 July 2026

Definition of sigh

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sorriness

sorrow

sorrowed

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“Sorrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorrow. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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