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as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness was sorry to see the family farm being sold

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word sorry different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sorry are contemptible, despicable, pitiable, and scurvy. While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

When is contemptible a more appropriate choice than sorry?

The meanings of contemptible and sorry largely overlap; however, contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

When might despicable be a better fit than sorry?

The synonyms despicable and sorry are sometimes interchangeable, but despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

Where would pitiable be a reasonable alternative to sorry?

While in some cases nearly identical to sorry, pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

How are the words scurvy and despicable related as synonyms of sorry?

Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

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 sorry Some of those starts were even with MBM—sorry, Garage 66. Greg Engle, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 Please be aware of its many deficiencies and sorry in advance! Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025 There’s no room for feeling sorry for ourselves in the NBA, in life in general. Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025 The teen’s attorney, Bob Dunlap, said at the time his client was sorry for what occurred. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sorry 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorry
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
    Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
  • Myriad other parties this week included soirees hosted by GQ, which may or may not still publish a magazine, and Sports Illustrated, which cut its once-stellar staff to the bone and became a sad shell of its former self but evidently can still afford to throw a Super Bowl party.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
  • That history stems from many things, but our sad legacy is behind us.
    Chris Brewster, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Here, 288 Romanian mercenaries who surrendered to M23 are counted and sent back to Europe, a pathetic and dejected lot.
    Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Misery-loves-company is a real thing, pathetic but true.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Patrick Mahomes was ashamed of his spike attempt, too.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2025
  • This tender moment is just more proof that even the toughest-looking guys in sports aren't ashamed of the sensitive side their kids bring out, and might actually be eager to show the world how much their families mean to them, on and off the field.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Witherspoon presents Margot not as some unhappy bachelorette, but as a modern, self-reliant woman.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
  • The Thailand-set season sees a new crop of unhappy, rich vacationers at a luxurious resort.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Our community is heartbroken and our hearts go out to everyone that's been impacted.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
  • La Plata Youth Soccer Association and FC Charles 1658 posted on social media applauding his support for their teams and expressing how heartbroken the community was.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Though Osbourne had a farewell tour set to begin in 2023, he was forced to cancel the shows due to poor health.
    Rosa Rahimi, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Lopetegui was eventually sacked on January 8, having failed to fix West Ham’s poor form.
    Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • But that resulted in a pitiful rebounding effort and a below-average defense.
    Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
  • This isn’t to say Orlok isn’t evil, but that his evilness does not exclude him from being pitiful.
    Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 10 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near sorry

Cite this Entry

“Sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorry. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sorry

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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