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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonym Chooser

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

All of that helps to remind how the Mets provided some joy during a time of extreme sorrow. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 10 Sep. 2026 Amid searing personal grief, survivors describe a grandfather juggling sorrow and his traumatized granddaughter, and a second-grade teacher who phoned parents to save pupils before dying with eight children in a prayer room. — Amir Vahdat, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sorrow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorrow

Verb

But today, as the Star Trek franchise celebrates its 60th anniversary, Navia finds opportunities to celebrate the legacy of her love and connect with Trek’s devoted fans who have experienced their own powerful grieving journeys.

— Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026
Lilly died on January 25, leaving her father to grieve her loss while shouldering a mission to spread awareness about the cancer that took his daughter’s life.

— Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of grieve

Noun

Duarte’s writing features detailed prose and a moving storyline, encompassing grief, healing, and the losses borne by a Latinx family in the name of American patriotism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
State prosecutors told the court that although the attorney general understands the defendant's grief, the case must proceed as a matter of public interest.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of grief

Noun

The organization said the discoveries had deepened the anguish of families searching for loved ones.

— Mogomotsi Magome, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Their mental anguish, out-of-pocket expenses, the time caregivers devote to their work, the wages lost from forgone work — all create spectacular costs for America’s families.

— Jason Karlawish, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of anguish

Verb

Most people who are infected with West Nile virus do not experience any symptoms or have a mild illness that may include a fever, headache and body aches, according to health officials.

— Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
The camera still lingers, the music still aches, but the urgency is gone.

— Henry Metz, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of ache

Noun

Penn State regularly contended for New Year’s Six bowls but lost the close, important games so often that fans braced for heartbreak.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Anna, meanwhile, will try some unusual methods to get over heartbreak.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of heartbreak

Browse Nearby Words

sorriness

sorrow

sorrowed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sorrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorrow. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sorrow

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compendious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes