sorrow

11 synonyms and 1 antonym for sorrow, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — Deep sadness, especially over a loss.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

regret

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

grief anguish sadness misery woe rue grieve

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

heartache sorrowfulness ruefulness

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

Deep sadness, especially over a loss.

“Her sorrow was clear on her face at the funeral.”

grief anguish sadness heartache misery woe rue sorrowfulness regret ruefulness

Opposites

joy

2. verb

To feel or express deep sadness; to grieve.

“The whole village sorrowed over the loss of their beloved teacher.”

grieve

How to use sorrow

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

deep sorrow a time of sorrow tears of sorrow

A somewhat literary or formal word; everyday speech usually says "sadness" or "grief" instead.

Etymology

From Old English sorg ("care, grief"). Despite the resemblance, it is not historically related to "sorry" or "sore."

Full origin of sorrow →

Frequently asked questions

What does “sorrow” mean?

The word “sorrow” means deep sadness, especially over a loss. In plain terms, deep, often lasting sadness — heavier and more formal than "sadness.".

How do you pronounce “sorrow”?

“Sorrow” is pronounced SO-roh (/ˈsɑɹoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “sorrow” in a sentence?

Here is “sorrow” used in a sentence: “Her sorrow was clear on her face at the funeral.”

What part of speech is “sorrow”?

Depending on how it is used, “sorrow” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “sorrow” come from?

The word “sorrow” comes from Old English. From Old English sorg ("care, grief"). Despite the resemblance, it is not historically related to "sorry" or "sore.".

Is “sorrow” a common word?

“Sorrow” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “sorrow” have?

“Sorrow” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: deep sadness, especially over a loss.

What is the difference between sorrow and grief?

Sorrow is a general term for deep sadness, often over a loss, while grief usually refers specifically to the intense sorrow felt after someone dies. Sorrow can also apply to sadness over mistakes, disappointments, or misfortunes that don't involve death.

Is sorrow a stronger word than sadness?

Yes, sorrow generally implies a deeper, more lasting sadness than the everyday word sadness. It is often used in serious or literary contexts to describe profound emotional pain, especially connected to loss.

Can sorrow be used as a verb?

Yes, sorrow can function as a verb meaning to feel or express deep sadness, as in "she sorrowed over the loss of her home." This verb use is somewhat formal or literary and less common than the noun form.

People also searched

joy regret grief misery sadness rue woe anguish grieve heartache sorrowfulness

Nearby words

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