Definitions

sorrowful

[sor-uh-fuhl, sawr-] / ˈsɒr ə fəl, ˈsɔr- /

ADJECTIVE

very upset; grieving

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affecting distressing heart-wrenching heartrending lugubrious melancholy mournful painful plaintive sad sorry

WEAK

afflicted dejected depressed disconsolate doleful dolent full of sorrow grievous heartbroken heavy-hearted hurting in mourning in pain in sorrow lamentable miserable piteous rueful ruthful sick at heart singing the blues tear-jerking tearful unhappy woebegone woeful wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheerful glad happy joyful

WEAK

delighted

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And accepting that joyful sorrow and sorrowful joy are the double helix of parental DNA takes time.

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026

As investigators continue their work, sorrowful scenes unfolded at the school as parents and relatives broke down while waiting for updates about their loved ones.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

But instead of taking a sorrowful approach, nearly all of the tracks were upbeat and felt more like elated sighs of relief rather than regret.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani described his passing as "sorrowful", calling him a "noble and thoughtful actor of Iranian cinema" in a post on X.

From Barron's • Nov. 11, 2025

I regarded him with impassivity, I believe; for he wished me to be sorrowful, to wince at some degradation; but I was aware of no sentiment of horror.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Vocabulary lists containing sorrowful

The Cay

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List 10

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Cry Me A River: Synonyms for "Sad"

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