sorry

adjective

ˈsär-ē How to pronounce sorry (audio)
Definition of sorrynext
1
as in lame
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust one more sorry stunt like that and you'll be fired

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2
as in sad
causing unhappiness we have sorry news to report tonight

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3
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy) the ragtag circus was a sorry spectacle indeed

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4
as in ashamed
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done she's genuinely sorry for hurting his feelings

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5
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness was sorry to see the family farm being sold

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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

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7
as in poor
deserving of one's pity some sorry wretch had the task of putting all of those files back in order

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word sorry different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sorry are contemptible, despicable, pitiable, and scurvy. While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

When is contemptible a more appropriate choice than sorry?

The meanings of contemptible and sorry largely overlap; however, contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

When might despicable be a better fit than sorry?

The synonyms despicable and sorry are sometimes interchangeable, but despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

Where would pitiable be a reasonable alternative to sorry?

While in some cases nearly identical to sorry, pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

How are the words scurvy and despicable related as synonyms of sorry?

Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

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 sorry The fingerprint reader is beneath the display, positioned toward the right side where my right thumb naturally lands (sorry, lefties). — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026 Chances are, your local Trader Joe’s has a selection that’s just as gourd—sorry—good. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026 And with lead performances like Mays’ and Hamilton’s, the production is — sorry to do this here — worth your visit. — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026 In the meantime, sorry to Ella Langley, whose time on the charts is coming to a swift (double sorry) end. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sorry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sorry
  1. lame
  2. sad
  3. pathetic
  4. ashamed
  5. unhappy
  6. heartbroken
  7. poor
  8. pitiful
Adjective
  • Blumenthal hopes to see action on KOSA in the lame-duck session.
    — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Only to see them, after winning elections, get strong-armed by the party, then offer lame excuses as to why.
    — Colleen Kujawa, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of lame
Adjective
  • Tuesday's testimony in Media was emotional and sad as the 911 call of the stabbing was played.
    — Joe Holden, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But seeing Mike Love this weekend was a sad one for Beach Boys fans.
    — Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of sad
Adjective
  • Haloed in distorted guitar and jagged synths, Wolf comes off as a champion of her own avoidance, her heroism charmingly pathetic.
    — Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The Chargers' offense mustered a pathetic 14 points all game.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of pathetic
Adjective
  • For a long time, Williams felt ashamed about having to use buy now, pay later for basic expenses.
    — Adriana Morga, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Ben Affleck clearly isn’t ashamed to be a third wheel with best friend Matt Damon and his wife.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of ashamed
Adjective
  • Someone still must understand why that client is unhappy and rebuild confidence.
    — Adam Povlitz, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Even residents who are unhappy with most aspects of the rezoning admit that the studios were a win.
    — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • While mourning her father, the heartbroken Sara uses a piece of chalk to draw a circle on the floor of the attic resembling the one Rama creates to protect Sita.
    — Sohini Sarah Pillai, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire honored Macy at a county Board of Supervisors meeting Wednesday, telling community leaders that her death had left his office and the wider community heartbroken.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of heartbroken
Adjective
  • Measles usually kills two or three people in every 1,000 cases, the WHO says, but the disease can be more deadly in poorer nations because of factors such as malnutrition.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • That receiver sends that poor defender into next week at the pylon.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • Just 7% of Democrats approve, along with a pitiful 12% of independents.
    — Jon Keller, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Herbert's six interceptions is only surpassed by Drake Maye's pitiful start to the season.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of pitiful

Browse Nearby Words

sorrows (for)
sorry
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Cite this Entry

“Sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorry. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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