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

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 next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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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

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

Indeed, in Iran the slaughter of protesters by the Iranian Republican guards filled me with sorrow and outrage. —

Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026 But all the myth and sorrow around the dynasty mean many takes tilt hagiographic. —

Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sorrow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorrow

Verb

Group for individuals grieving death of spouse or life partner.

— Staff Report, Baltimore Sun, 8 Apr. 2026
By embedding with grieving families and legal advocates, the film combines personal narratives with investigative reporting to spark critical conversations about social media reform and encourage viewers to reflect on their own digital relationships.

— Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026

Definition of grieve

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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 12 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of sorrow

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