woe

1 of 2

interjection

ˈwō 

—used to express grief, regret, or distress

woe

2 of 2

noun

plural woes

1

: a condition of deep suffering from misfortune, affliction, or grief

2

: ruinous trouble : calamity, affliction

economic woes

Synonyms

Interjection

• alack
• alas
• ay
• wirra [Irish]

Noun

• affliction
• agony
• anguish
• distress
• excruciation
• hurt
• misery
• pain
• rack
• strait(s)
• torment
• torture
• travail
• tribulation

Choose the Right Synonym for woe

sorrow, grief, anguish, woe, regret mean distress of mind.

sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

Examples of woe in a Sentence

Interjection

ah, woe, with the death of the last of my siblings I am alone in this world!

Noun

The city's traffic woes are well-known.

a tale of misery and woe

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With increasing public pressure, companies have been looking to nuclear power as a potential answer to their environmental woes. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

There is still hope, however, that Tunisians can fix their country’s woes through the political process. —Sarah E. Yerkes, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024

The company has been facing supply woes after a surge in demand for its obesity treatment. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

In recent weeks, Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate former President Donald Trump have begun to outline plans to address America’s housing woes. —Marcus Baram, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Interjection

Middle English wa, wo, from Old English wā; akin to Old Norse vei, interjection, woe, Latin vae

First Known Use

Interjection

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing woe

• tale of woe
• woe is me
• woe to/betide

Kids Definition

woe

noun

ˈwō

1

: great suffering from loss, misfortune, or trouble

2

: trouble entry 2 sense 1b

economic woes