alas

1 of 2

interjection

ə-ˈlas How to pronounce alas (audio)
Synonyms of alasnext
—used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern
Life, alas, is too short.

Alas

2 of 2

abbreviation

Alaska

Synonyms of alas

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Interjection

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Examples of alas in a Sentence

Interjection Juliet's pitiful lament, “alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead!”.
Recent Examples on the Web
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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, 5 Oct. 2026 But alas, these are among the most out-of-place houses in the entire city. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 There’s not a prayer of viewing one directly, alas; just getting a dotlike image of an exoplanet is already quite a task. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alas

Word History

Etymology

Interjection

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from a ah + las weary, from Latin lassus — more at lassitude

First Known Use

Interjection

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alas was in the 13th century

Rhymes for alas

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Browse Nearby Words

alary
alas
Alas
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Cite this Entry

“Alas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alas. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

alas

interjection
ə-ˈlas How to pronounce alas (audio)
—used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern
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