alas
1 of 2interjection
ə-ˈlas 
—used to express unhappiness, pity, or concern
Life, alas, is too short.
Alas
2 of 2abbreviation
Alaska
Synonyms
Interjection
- alack
- ay
- wirra [Irish]
- woe
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Interjection Juliet's pitiful lament, “alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead!”.
Recent Examples on the Web
Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Sep. 2022 The result, alas, doesn’t live up to the promise of the occasion, turning the character’s journey into fodder for a sluggish exercise in formalism. Jon Frosch, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2022 The world has, alas, no shortage of cheaters, and a charity that makes foiling them a priority is in danger of cheating itself. New York Times, 12 July 2022 The piece seems unsettlingly appropriate, alas, in our own precarious times. Christopher Benfey, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2022 But alas, the media cannot resist the temptation to cast the new whistleblowers in the role of the old ones. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2022 If Frey, he, alas, is dead and identifying him as the the [sic] source would make this go away once and for all. Nate Rogers, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 And, alas, there are likely to be more videos circulating online of dangerous activity that makes Athearn and others queasy. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 22 Aug. 2022 Year two as a full-time college student, alas, began much like year one. Mike Mariani, Wired, 16 Aug. 2022 See More
Interjection
Gosling will next be seen in the day-glo fever drama that appears to be Greta Gerwig's Barbie, while Chazelle's next release (alas, sans Gosling) is this Christmas' Babylon. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Sep. 2022 The result, alas, doesn’t live up to the promise of the occasion, turning the character’s journey into fodder for a sluggish exercise in formalism. Jon Frosch, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2022 The world has, alas, no shortage of cheaters, and a charity that makes foiling them a priority is in danger of cheating itself. New York Times, 12 July 2022 The piece seems unsettlingly appropriate, alas, in our own precarious times. Christopher Benfey, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2022 But alas, the media cannot resist the temptation to cast the new whistleblowers in the role of the old ones. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2022 If Frey, he, alas, is dead and identifying him as the the [sic] source would make this go away once and for all. Nate Rogers, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 And, alas, there are likely to be more videos circulating online of dangerous activity that makes Athearn and others queasy. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 22 Aug. 2022 Year two as a full-time college student, alas, began much like year one. Mike Mariani, Wired, 16 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
alas
interjection
ə-ˈlas
—used to express unhappiness, pity, disappointment or worry
Alas, it was too late!
alas
interjection
as in alack
used to express sorrow or distress Juliet's pitiful lament, "alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead!" Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- alack
- woe
- boo
- ay
- rats
- aw
- ouch
- yuk
- bah
- wirra
- shucks
- ow
- sheesh
- phooey
- pooh
- yuck
- pshaw
- tsk
- tush
- humph
- tut
- pish
- fie
- faugh
- ho hum
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- glory
- hallelujah
- hurrah
- hey
- hurray
- hooray
- ha
- alleluia
- hot dog
- wow
- whee
- whoopee
- yahoo
- wahoo
- yippee
