SORROW Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sorrow' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of sorrow are anguish , grief , regret , and woe . While all these words 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

Q: When might 'anguish' be a better fit than 'sorrow'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sorrow , anguish suggests torturing grief or dread. // the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

Q: When is it sensible to use 'grief' instead of 'sorrow'?

The synonyms grief and sorrow are sometimes interchangeable, but grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause. // the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

Q: When would 'regret' be a good substitute for 'sorrow'?

In some situations, the words regret and sorrow are roughly equivalent. However, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse. // nagging regret for missed opportunities

Q: When can 'woe' be used instead of 'sorrow'?

The words woe and sorrow can be used in similar contexts, but woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery. // cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

sorrow 1 of 2

verb

Definition of sorrow next

as in to grieve

to feel deep sadness or mental pain the soldier's widow continued to sorrow long after her husband's last letter had turned yellow with age

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sorrow

2 of 2

noun

ˈsär-(ˌ)ō

as in grief

deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved he felt great sorrow at the loss of his beloved dog

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Some common synonyms of sorrow are anguish, grief, regret, and woe. While all these words 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

When might anguish be a better fit than sorrow?

While in some cases nearly identical to sorrow, anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

When is it sensible to use grief instead of sorrow?

The synonyms grief and sorrow are sometimes interchangeable, but grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

When would regret be a good substitute for sorrow?

In some situations, the words regret and sorrow are roughly equivalent. However, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

When can woe be used instead of sorrow?

The words woe and sorrow can be used in similar contexts, but woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

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 sorrow

Verb

As the story of SoulShine's contribution made its way onto the news and social media, people expressed appreciation for Garem and the company's creative contributions –and sorrow that the task was required. —

Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 1 June 2022 As Russia celebrated its most emotional holiday commemorating the Nazi defeat in World War II, Putin appeared in Red Square to invoke pride and sorrow over the Soviet role then and to cast Russia’s battles in Ukraine now as such a just cause. —

Washington Post, 9 May 2022

Noun

Teams and athletes farther removed from the figure skating world took to social media Thursday to express words of sorrow and sympathy. —

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025 So safe, in fact, that an entire generation of Americans has come of age without knowing the feeling of sorrow and instability that such disasters always bring. —

The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sorrow

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorrow

Verb

Sleepwalker follows a grieving mother who is haunted by the tragic loss of her daughter in a car accident that left her abusive husband in a coma.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025
The sheriff … lied to my parents … bold-face lied and betrayed the trust of shocked and grieving parents.

— Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2025