WOE Synonyms: 176 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

woe 1 of 2

interjection

ˈwō

Definition of woe

as in boo

used to express sorrow or distress ah, woe, with the death of the last of my siblings I am alone in this world!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

woe

2 of 2

noun

as in distress

a state of great suffering of body or mind a tale of misery and woe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sorrow

deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved the incessant woe that has haunted her since the death of her husband

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

With his political blog FTL Politics, Rodstrom trained a spotlight on City Hall, questioning development deals, flooding woes and government spending. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 This time the meetups are spread across a number of weeks, as the summer heat cools gently into autumn, while the interludes themselves attempt to broach something more complex than simple relationship woes. — James Marsh, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026 Offensive woes and pitching injuries have plagued the on-field product. — Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026 Chinese authorities have tightened their grip on the media, the legal profession, and civil society, limiting the space for Chinese citizens to discuss mounting social woes and extinguishing emerging calls for deeper political reform. — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026 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

Definition of boo

Noun

The vast majority expressed deep distress and anger at their government after the massacres that took place in response to January’s mass protests.

— Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
While ChatGPT isn’t a substitute for professional mental health care, our safeguards are designed to identify distress, safely handle harmful requests, and guide users to real-world help.

— Laura Reiley, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of distress

Noun

Following the ruling, Benson drowns her sorrows over cocktails with Sharpe, and, in a revealing, impeccably acted scene, airs out her grievances about her job.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
As their division rivals popped bottles inside Yankee Stadium’s visiting clubhouse, the home side filled with frustration and sorrow.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of sorrow

Noun

His personal agony fused with despair over the military government, which continued to crack down on democracy activists.

— E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Now, the defining image of the death penalty in 2026 is a woman strapped to a gurney, in unbearable agony, being tortured by prison officials tasked with killing her but unable to do so.

— Maya Foa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of agony

Interjection

But alas, they will now be headed home after Cleveland won three-consecutive elimination games.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Jenner was among the first to arrive, slipping discreetly in through the back door, to hold court on a black leather couch with her girlfriends (alas, no Jacob Elordi in the house tonight).

— Vogue, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of alas

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wobbly

woe

woebegone

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“Woe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woe. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of woe

interjection

noun

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