1
as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning
adopted a sorrowful tone of voice to read the news story about the former governor's death
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sad
feeling unhappiness
the cult seemed to be a sorrowful assemblage of emotionally scarred people seeking love and redemption
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Recent Examples of sorrowful
The funeral procession begins with a sorrowful requiem but transitions into a celebration of life — reminding us that life extends beyond death, that grief is not the absence of love but an extension of it.
—
Mathew Holloway, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
Such sentiments may not be entirely avoidable, but party planners can emphasize fun and a festive atmosphere to ensure the night is celebratory and not sorrowful.
—Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 24 Feb. 2025
The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) shared a sorrowful story across their social media feeds about a mournful looking cat.
—Tj MacIas, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025
His is a kind of pathetic that inspires neither scorn nor pity, but a universal, sorrowful connection — his yearning for a different face is a consideration of what makes a human being legible and thus able to be understood, known, even loved.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sorrowful
Mathew Holloway, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
Such sentiments may not be entirely avoidable, but party planners can emphasize fun and a festive atmosphere to ensure the night is celebratory and not sorrowful.
—Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 24 Feb. 2025
The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) shared a sorrowful story across their social media feeds about a mournful looking cat.
—Tj MacIas, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025
His is a kind of pathetic that inspires neither scorn nor pity, but a universal, sorrowful connection — his yearning for a different face is a consideration of what makes a human being legible and thus able to be understood, known, even loved.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sorrowful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorrowful
Adjective
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The band played somber hymns marking Good Friday, a mournful day during Holy Week.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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At the vigil, the atmosphere appeared to be both mournful and celebratory of Scooter’s life.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Though the courts have not invariably ruled against Trump, the Administration’s record so far is, to use one of the President’s favorite words, sad.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
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The sad story of Alex Verdugo was one of the most puzzling dramas of the MLB offseason.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.—
David Mamet,
National Review,
11 Aug. 2022
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
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Particularly now that Americans are unhappy with the state of economy.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
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Some 59% of voters are unhappy with how things are going in the country.—
Dana Blanton,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The recent tragic helicopter crash into the Hudson River, which claimed six lives, has left our city heartbroken and once again grappling with difficult questions about public safety and aviation policy.—
Keith Powers,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2025
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The heartbroken couple spent days looking for Valerie but eventually had to return to their lives in Broken Hill, New South Wales.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Investors are keenly watching these metrics as European banks transition to an environment of monetary easing, particularly in Switzerland, which has been combating a strong franc and depressed inflation with interest rates as low as 0.25%.—
Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
30 Apr. 2025
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Dracula’s Daughter is about a lady vampire who seduces and feeds off other ladies and who is depressed and desperate to be cured of her unyielding desire for wom— sorry.—
Jordan Crucchiola,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The funeral mass will begin at 10am CET (1am PT) and take place on the parvis of Saint Peter’s Basilica, or the space in front of the basilica.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2025
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Keeping with tradition, the Vatican’s health department verifies the pope’s death in his home, and his body is placed in a coffin and transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica for public viewing, the funeral Mass and burial.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Politics Trump officials’ defiance over Abrego Garcia’s deportation is ‘shocking,’ appeals court says April 17, 2025 His underlings ape his ghoulish glee in making life miserable for undocumented immigrants.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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Just 22 regulation wins, more than only the miserable Chicago Blackhawks (20) and San Jose Sharks (14)?—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sorrowful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorrowful. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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