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sorrow

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noun

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
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 As the story of SoulShine's contribution made its way onto the news and social media, people expressed appreciation for Garem and the company's creative contributions –and sorrow that the task was required. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 1 June 2022
Noun
In a condolence message, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, expressed deep sorrow and urged authorities to investigate and support victims and families. Reuters, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025 In early Christian thinking, its connotations of languor and listlessness, within the spirit no less than the body, lent it the status of a sin—a turning aside from God for the sake of earthly sorrow. Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sorrow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorrow
Verb
  • Season 2, which wrapped at the end of 2024, ended with Jimmy taking a major step forward in his grieving process.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Now, her parents are grieving the loss of their daughter.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The shock that images of the destruction provoke—the grief so many have felt—is not an overreaction to the loss of a beloved building.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
  • This was what brought him to grief.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Following the news of his death, which was shared on his Instagram page, several drummers mourned DeJohnette in the comment section.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Signs of mourning in felines are similar to those of humans, including spending more time alone, moving slowly, feeling depressed, and experiencing a decrease in appetite and playfulness.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Days full of anguish Thousands of miles away from the ICE detention facility in Michigan, Aurelquis Gómez visits her nephew Noah often.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Director Josh Boone will cut to a goofy montage right after a moment when a character is supposed to be mired in anguish.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His groin ached as if Sister Wang had been clutching him for years.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • While the flu is traditionally associated with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, headache and fatigue, children and adults alike can experience moderate to severe complications.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The hope of Bucks season is helping with the Brewers heartbreak.
    Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The final episode of the latest season followed the couples on their wedding day and the aftermath, which mostly ended in tears and heartbreak.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Bright sighed with relief as volunteers handed over bread and other provisions to help get her family through the week.
    Jenny Abamu, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Outside, the tide sighs against the rocks in steady conversation.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sorrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorrow. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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