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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 Well, sorry, the young man is incredible. Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025 Section Out Larger Chores For deep-cleaning chores that take longer, such as vacuuming and mopping the floors, instead of putting pressure on to complete it all at once, this season is one of staggering it out and not feeling sorry for it. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025 Everyone is sorry about a life’s work dissolving through uncontrollable circumstances. Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 The porcinis tumbled onto the kitchen counter in a sorry state. Callie Sumlin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sorry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorry
Adjective
  • Cut to Culhane doing lame bits with chopsticks as walrus teeth.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Add in coach Steve Kerr willingly working on a lame-duck contract, and the Warriors could be looking for a new path forward within the year of saying hello to Butler, meaning that smell around Chase Center is one of desperation.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As Morgan and Sasha chat it up at Noah’s family’s Purim party, a sad-eyed Esther stands off to the side, quietly watching the interaction.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The footage shows Deiseroth’s demeanor teetering between sad and angry.
    David Goodhue October 24, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Panthers’ defense was largely effective against a pathetic Jets offense, which could barely muster movement at home.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
  • And Craig Waterman, the marketing executive from the 2024 film Friendship, took Robinson into new territory with a darker and more pathetic take on the same neurotic type.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Then sank a flotilla,Then fought a gorilla,And wasn’t ashamed one scintilla!
    Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The only one who should be ashamed is Robert De Niro.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Following Dombrowski’s comments and his belief that Harper is unhappy with his current contract situation, Sherman opened the door to a potential offseason trade that sends Harper elsewhere.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • People who will be sent there include those who let their poor unhappy doggies bark endlessly, those who throw trash on the beach and those who hunt exotic animals for sport.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Though we were heartbroken at the goodbyes, there was a small sense of relief, knowing that fewer mouths to feed would mean a little more food for those who stayed behind.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez each hit a solo home run for the Mariners in the team’s first Game 7 but Seattle failed to reach its first World Series, leaving the heartbroken Mariners as the only major league team without a pennant.
    Ian Harrison, Twin Cities, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s another element of the current concern regarding due process that relates to the fate of poor Cinna.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025
  • McDaniel’s debut album Lost Ones delves into his own story of growing up in a poor community in Kentucky, and dealing with mental health struggles, both personally and within his family — as well as McDaniel’s story of being saved during a past suicide attempt years ago.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The New York Jets season is off to quite the pitiful start.
    Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Oct. 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorry. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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