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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Architecture critic Sam Lubell went to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art last weekend and was sorry to see that the museum has erected gates around its main courtyard. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Well, at least to cosmologists who are using this simulation to transform (sorry, couldn't resist) our understanding of the universe's first stars. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026 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 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
  • Poetry gets left behind by the exigency of character development or, in the movie’s self-defeating logic, because the art form doesn’t really matter and is only a lame excuse for people who won’t take responsibility and grow up.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Blumenthal hopes to see action on KOSA in the lame-duck session.
    — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of lame
Adjective
  • When the modern-day world has nothing to offer us but AI slop, shrinkflation and a sad acceptance that we can't be bothered to do anything about global warming.
    — Ian Stokes, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • This island that was so fantastic has become Work Island and that’s sad.
    — Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of sad
Adjective
  • There’s nothing more important than defeating his pathetic opponent, Mike Collins.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of pathetic
Adjective
  • The wicker man’s superiority makes all the villagers feel ashamed.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 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
  • Dudus was apparently unhappy about a recent NBC News article that exposed Combs’ cushy life behind bars.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Tim Boyd San Juan Capistrano I’m sure there are Dodgers fans unhappy about losing to the Brewers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • The woman never brought Melissa back, leaving a heartbroken Apantenco wondering what had become of her baby.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Mike Sweeney’s tutor Royals Hall of Famer Mike Sweeney was heartbroken to learn of Benzinger’s passing.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of heartbroken
Adjective
  • Disease that has spread to those organs is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • They were frustrated with teacher shortages and poor conditions at schools, including overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings.
    — James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 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
sort
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sorry. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All