1
as in lame
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
one more sorry stunt like that and you'll be fired
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sad
causing unhappiness
we have sorry news to report tonight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
the ragtag circus was a sorry spectacle indeed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in ashamed
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done
she's genuinely sorry for hurting his feelings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness
was sorry to see the family farm being sold
Synonyms & Similar Words
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6
as in heartbroken
expressing or suggesting mourning
those sorry rituals that we go through when somebody dies are not for the dead but for the living
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in poor
deserving of one's pity
some sorry wretch had the task of putting all of those files back in order
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sorry
The biggest thing for me is don’t feel sorry for yourself.
—
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Better safe than sorry Mirror life is an exciting research subject and a potential tool with some practical applications in medicine and biotechnology.
—Kate Adamala, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
If a nation produces two great works of cinema in a single year, sorry, one’s gotta go.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2025
Mathews agreed that there was no need for Barrymore to feel sorry for expressing herself in a way that feels comfortable.
—EW.com, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sorry 
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Better safe than sorry Mirror life is an exciting research subject and a potential tool with some practical applications in medicine and biotechnology.
—Kate Adamala, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
If a nation produces two great works of cinema in a single year, sorry, one’s gotta go.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2025
Mathews agreed that there was no need for Barrymore to feel sorry for expressing herself in a way that feels comfortable.
—EW.com, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sorry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorry
Adjective
-
As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.—
Kevin Fisher-Paulson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 June 2021
-
My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.—
Tim Neville,
Outside Online,
23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
-
Especially sad is the case of Netta, one of Liat’s three children, who survived the attack.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Feb. 2025
-
But after a third season that saw Billy (Gil Bellows) strut around with a coterie of women from a Robert Palmer video before dropping dead of a brain tumor, this outing is remarkably grounded, poignant…and sad.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In a bravura theatrical performance, Hawke makes the genius truly pathetic.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Blonsky imbues the lead character of Tracy Turnblad, who could be a pathetic figure in lesser hands, with enough vitality to make the whole film feel fresh, even close to two decades after its release.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Patrick Mahomes was ashamed of his spike attempt, too.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
30 Jan. 2025
-
This tender moment is just more proof that even the toughest-looking guys in sports aren't ashamed of the sensitive side their kids bring out, and might actually be eager to show the world how much their families mean to them, on and off the field.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Laviolette puts lines in a blender Clearly unhappy with his team’s effort against Pittsburgh on Friday, Laviolette made drastic changes to his lineup.—
Peter Baugh,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
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Many users are rushing to social media to voice their complaints, with one Reddit thread picking up over 10,000 comments, mostly complaints from unhappy gamers.—
Will McCurdy,
PCMAG,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Boldt hired 300 workers to construct the six-story, 120-room castle outfitted with a drawbridge and tower, but when Louise died suddenly in 1904, the heartbroken Boldt halted construction and never returned to the island.—
Gulnaz Khan,
AFAR Media,
13 Feb. 2025
-
There are similar Valentine’s Day opportunities geared toward the heartbroken.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Without education, students with disabilities face higher rates of poverty, unemployment, poor health, and social isolation.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Cosgrove, a rookie revelation in 2023, is looking to bounce back after a poor 2024 season.—
Dennis Lin,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Who knew that banning books, paying teachers pitiful salaries and threatening them with jail if they were caught with salacious book titles would be the holy grail of student success?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2025
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Who knew that banning books, paying teachers pitiful salaries and threatening them with jail if they were caught with salacious book titles would be the holy grail of student success.—
Letters to the Editor,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near sorry
Cite this Entry
“Sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorry. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.
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