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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 But if there’s an argument in there that Pujols shouldn’t win, sorry. Jayson Stark, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Most of all, the Blue Jays need to stop feeling sorry for themselves, or aggrieved by the umpiring crew, and lock in on driving the baseball again. Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025 The kid acts up, the dad disciplines him and mom just sends a sorry text. Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025 So sorry for the inconvenience. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sorry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorry
Adjective
  • Another main issue is that the power grind itself now being the endgame is no longer a good motivator to play, nor is the Tier system with 3s not much different than 4s or 5s, and all past weapons being somewhat lame now outside of that system entirely.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Paine proposed a lump sum payment of £15 (£2,306 in 2025) to everyone reaching the age of twenty-one and a £10 (£1,537 in 2025) annual pension for the blind and lame, as well as for those fifty and older.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One purveyor of fairy tales that wasn’t afraid of a sad ending?
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Sade Bess, a Combs fan from Brooklyn, left the court’s overflow observation room looking both sad and relieved.
    Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Characters can be pathetic, and frank about their Toledo Truth Teller’s bleak prospects.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Jimmy Kimmel is a pathetic hate monger.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Sami, a city boy ashamed of his roots, arrives for a relaxing weekend on his family farm.
    Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
  • On a basic human level, the mayor should be ashamed of himself.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Smart, much like Georgia’s fan base, is pretty unhappy after yet another loss to Alabama.
    Seth Emerson, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • While there are reasons to be unhappy with the performance, each win in the NFL is hard to get.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The most painful part, the tragedy of our lives, was that Brenda was heartbroken.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
  • This isn't the first time the internet has been left heartbroken when a dog didn't want to play.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Similar protests occurred in Brazil over steep living costs and poor healthcare and education ahead of the country hosting the 2014 World Cup tournament.
    Connor Greene, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Over time, dysfunctional breathing reinforces poor posture and scapular instability.
    Dana Santas, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Browns have scored the second-fewest points in the NFL, ahead of only the pitiful Tennessee Titans.
    Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
  • On the side of the highway, Wilson cuts a pitiful, solitary figure.
    Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorry. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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