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woe

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noun

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word woe different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of woe are anguish, grief, regret, and sorrow. While all these words mean "distress of mind," woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

When is it sensible to use anguish instead of woe?

The meanings of anguish and woe largely overlap; however, anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

When is grief a more appropriate choice than woe?

The words grief and woe can be used in similar contexts, but grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

Where would regret be a reasonable alternative to woe?

While the synonyms regret and woe are close in meaning, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

When can sorrow be used instead of woe?

While in some cases nearly identical to woe, sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

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 woe
Noun
Apart from Snow White’s box office woes, the film was met with middling reviews upon its theatrical release. Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025 Floundering in his career and stressed about planning his wedding, Yvan’s woes compound when his oldest friends turn their insults on him, calling him a coward, an amoeba and a fan of motel art. Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025 Make sure to keep your wits about you so as to not make any trip woes turn into true nightmares. Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2025 King Charles can't get involved in Prince Harry's security woes: author Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of ‘My Mother and I,’ explains why the monarch is too exhausted to deal with his younger son’s ongoing court battle. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for woe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for woe
Interjection
  • Williams also recalled witnessing the Super Bowl crowd boo Taylor Swift when she was shown on the jumbotron cheering on her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Highlights include a costume parade (for kids and parents), a Purim story and boo Haman and songs.
    Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024
Noun
  • Recorded woodpecker distress calls or raptor calls can also repel the birds.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Far too many people, who also depended on the accused for their livelihoods, ignored complaints and obvious signs of distress or simply looked the other way, rationalizing the incidents as the cost of doing business.
    Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • The wind of sorrows is so violent today and sweeps up the weakest — the hostages of October 7 and all the hostages — the prisoners, the drowned, who endure terror and die in a terrible feeling of abandonment and indifference.
    Rachel Handler, Vulture, 13 May 2025
  • Her words pierced through the haze of sorrow and became an enduring truth.
    Carissa Talmage, People.com, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • In video of the attack released by police at the time, she can be heard screaming in agony.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025
  • Dropping dramatically to the floor, Busquets writhed in agony and Motta was duly sent off.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The experiment of pairing Antetokounmpo with Damian Lillard ended in anguish when Lillard tore his Achilles during the first round of the playoffs.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
  • Without that, the Sinaloa cartel are likely to remain a prominent, wealthy force — and more families will feel anguish like that of Vivian Aispuro’s family.
    Isobel Yeung, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • The Best Clothing Box Photograph: Stitch Fix Stitch Fix Kids Clothes Box $16 Stitch Fix As my kids have gotten older, shopping for their clothes has become a misery.
    Adrienne So, Wired News, 17 May 2025
  • The value of the Syrian currency plummeted during the civil war years, adding to the misery.
    Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Stitt's family and friends attended the sentencing, expressing their grief and emphasizing that she has never been forgotten.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Talking with some young people helped by the charity in Widnes, in northwest England, in February 2025, William reflected on his own childhood grief.
    Simon Perry, People.com, 14 May 2025
Interjection
  • Studies of fathers have generated some alarmist headlines over the years, and Hrdy has kindly collated them: no dad joke: fatherhood shrinks the brain; aw, nuts!
    Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
  • And then … aw, just cue up the video player for the epic Francisco Lindor homer that won this thing!
    Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Woe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woe. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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