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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 As the ancillary villains of the season (sorry, Heather Matarazzo and Steve Buscemi) drop like flies, Isaac becomes the last one standing, drawing the whole Addams clan to Nevermore’s Iago Tower in order to drain Pugsley of his spark powers. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025 The other kids have never been happier or more prepared for the standardized tests that will determine their futures, which means their parents are suddenly in love with Maria, and her overbearing principal is sorry for misjudging her. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025 The website clarifies that Kith Ivy will host an Erewhon Tonic Bar (sorry, not the full grocery store) for members. Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025 Now, um, sorry to say this to you publicly, but that’s such a grandma station. Stephanie Petit, People.com, 2 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
  • This one is trickier and sadder to think about.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Composite image created by Newsweek shows two older people looking worried and a piggy bank with a sad face on its side.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The end of that era came slowly, through the pathetic collapse of Syria and Lebanon as functioning states, and then quickly, when Israel began touching Hezbollah in unexpected places.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Want the poop on this pathetic history?
    Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Losing to Philadelphia is nothing to be ashamed of, but Kansas City simply doesn't usually allow losses to pile on top of each other.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Also, Florida State and Oklahoma should be ashamed of themselves for scheduling Kent State.
    Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • My research team works hard to keep the email addresses up to date, but executives keep changing their addresses to avoid having to deal with unhappy customers.
    Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • But few seemed to leave unhappy.
    Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And utterly heartbroken for Charlie’s young family.
    Amanda Castro Gabe Whisnant Anna Commander Toby Meyjes Shane Croucher John Feng Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The woman noted that canceling the shower has left her heartbroken.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Cutting carbs entirely can raise the risk of cholesterol, kidney stones, poor bone health, gut problems, and even cancer, added Stefanki.
    Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Before Wednesday’s game, people within the organization were optimistic about Helsley putting his tipping problem and overall poor pitching behind him, pointing to a clean inning Monday.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The pitiful screaming of surviving family members can be heard.
    Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • As del Toro sees it, Frankenstein’s pitiful creation has been cursed with life, cannot be killed (even bullets don’t stop him) and must face the same existential crisis that confronts us all.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorry. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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