sorrowful

adjective

ˈsär-(ˌ)ō-fəl How to pronounce sorrowful (audio)
Definition of sorrowfulnext
1
as in mournful
expressing or suggesting mourning adopted a sorrowful tone of voice to read the news story about the former governor's death

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sad
feeling unhappiness the cult seemed to be a sorrowful assemblage of emotionally scarred people seeking love and redemption

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 sorrowful Much like their 1990s grunge and alt-rock contemporaries in America, Canada’s Our Lady Peace were writing and recording murky, sorrowful songs about youthful frustration and adult rage, love lost and societal alienation. — Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2026 This movie’s nail-biting, sorrowful power comes from what internalized destruction looks like. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 There were women like her—some Indigenous and some African-looking sorrowful in their coarse linen shifts, huddling together. — Literary Hub, 26 May 2026 Along with intermittent rain, gray skies have accompanied the sorrowful mood that has permeated throughout the garage this weekend in Concord. — Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sorrowful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorrowful
  1. mournful
  2. sad
  3. weeping
  4. unhappy
  5. heartbroken
  6. depressed
  7. funeral
  8. miserable
Adjective
  • Part of it was the circumstances of his death and the mournful public procession through Brooklyn.
    — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Whitney Houston’s powerhouse version stands alone, but Dolly’s quieter, mournful ode to her collaboration with Porter Wagoner is the artful, formative sketch to a colossal mural.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of mournful
Adjective
  • This formula carried his last offering, the funny and sad, Colin Farrell-led The Banshees of Inisherin to nine Oscar nominations in 2022.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Hunter said it’s been sad to see photos of the devastation wrought by the fire.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of sad
Adjective
  • And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.
    — David Mamet, National Review, 11 Aug. 2022
  • The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.
    — Helen Shaw, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2021
Definition of weeping
Adjective
  • Before long, the book moves back in time to shadow the king himself, an unhappy leader thrust into his role by chance and now on the brink of death.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Age came with evidence — every mistake, playoff loss and unhappy ending.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • Fans across Kansas City posted heartbroken notes of appreciation for the country legend.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Speaking during a recent career retrospective hosted by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, the 71-year-old actor revealed that his Thelma & Louise co-star left him heartbroken.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of heartbroken
Adjective
  • Quietly depressed, a wife to Reuben (Tracy Letts, Coon’s real-life partner) and mother to Ella (Bella Ramsey) and Jo (Odessa Young), Rita holds a monotonous desk job at a bank by day, and tends to her family by night as part of her humdrum routine.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Sprague conceded Clancy had mental health issues and was depressed.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of depressed
Adjective
  • The killings wiped out members from four generations, said Jennifer Mercer, a neighbor and family friend who set up an online fundraiser to help cover funeral costs and other expenses and was authorized to release the details.
    — David K. Li, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Daily Mail reported that Andrew remains on a confidential government list of royal family members with funeral plans prepared in advance.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of funeral
Adjective
  • Young has discussed that miserable 2003 big-league season with his players.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Extreme mountain climbing has never looked anything but miserable from the distance of a screening room, and The Other Side delivers mightily on all that scraping, straining, gasping toil.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of miserable

Browse Nearby Words

sorrow (for)
sorrowful
sorrowfully
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Cite this Entry

“Sorrowful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorrowful. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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