sorry
adjective
sor·ry ˈsär-ē 
ˈsȯr-
sorrier; sorriest
1
a
: feeling sorrow or sympathy
I'm so sorry for your loss.
We were very sorry to hear the news.
She felt sorry for him. [=she felt sympathy and concern for him because of his situation, problems, etc.]
He told me to stop feeling sorry for myself. [=to stop indulging in self-pity]
b
: feeling regret or penitence
He was sorry about what he had said.
"I wanted to apologize," she said, "for my abominable rudeness in laughing at you just now. It was idiotic of me and I don't know why I did it. I'm sorry."
P. G. Wodehouse
P. G. Wodehouse"… I'm so sorry, but the tongs were too hot, and so I've made a mess," groaned poor Jo, regarding the little black pancakes with tears of regret. Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May AlcottI am sorry we have ever differed, and extremely sorry I have ever given you offence. Charles Dickens
—used to express polite regret Charles Dickens I'm sorry, but I think you're wrong.I'm sorry to interrupt you.
—used to introduce disappointing or bad news in a polite way I'm sorry, but we won't be able to come.
— used as an apology for a minor fault or offense Oh, sorry—that was clumsy of me.I'm late again. Sorry about that. [=I'm sorry; I apologize]
2
: mournful, sad
Rilla remembered one moonlit evening of childhood when she had said to her mother, "The moon just looks like a sorry, sorry face." Lucy Maud Montgomery
Lucy Maud Montgomery3
: inspiring sorrow, pity, scorn, or ridicule : pitiful
Their affairs were in a sorry state.
Lawrence blushed, and then smiled awkwardly. A man in love is a sorry spectacle. Agatha Christie
Agatha ChristieIn view of the sorry treatment of the Native Americans of the US, it is time that their voice was heard a little more clearly in contemporary American society. Tim Flannery
Tim Flannery… had been on her way to work when her rusted-out, … sorry excuse for a car … choked on its last drop of gasoline, then died. Ingrid Law
Ingrid Law sorrily
ˈsär-ə-lē
adverb ˈsȯr-
sorriness
ˈsär-ē-nəs
noun ˈsȯr-
Synonyms
- cheap
- contemptible
- cruddy
- deplorable
- despicable
- dirty
- grubby
- lame
- lousy
- mean
- nasty
- paltry
- pitiable
- pitiful
- ratty
- scabby
- scummy
- scurvy
- sneaking
- wretched
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
I'm sorry if I offended you. She was sorry to hear about their divorce. I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sorry for saying that. I'm sorry that I wasted your time. What a sorry state of affairs we're in now. That's the sorriest excuse I've heard. See More
Recent Examples on the Web On the one hand (sorry), there are the vaccine double-downers. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2022 Genuinely sorry to see so many great people go, but, at the end of the day, only two are going through. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 The three-month outlook shows increased chances for above-average temperatures for all of Alabama and for much of the U.S. (sorry). Leigh Morgan, al, 1 Sep. 2022 But Shadow Mountain football players aren't feeling sorry for themselves. Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 19 Aug. 2022 Also daunting though, to recognize the challenges that this disruptive sorry to use the word economy is is presenting us. Fortune Editors, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2022 And look at the sorry state of our roads—someone graffitied the asphalt with white lines! Evan Waite, The New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2022 The ensuing four acts are then structured around Chromatica itself, interspersed with songs from The Fame, The Fame Monster and Born This Way mostly (sorry to the Artpop or Joanne devotees: cuts from those albums were left off the setlist entirely). Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2022 For his part, Vance Barlow is sorry to see Allred go. Mark Eddington, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 Aug. 2022 See More
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2022 Genuinely sorry to see so many great people go, but, at the end of the day, only two are going through. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 The three-month outlook shows increased chances for above-average temperatures for all of Alabama and for much of the U.S. (sorry). Leigh Morgan, al, 1 Sep. 2022 But Shadow Mountain football players aren't feeling sorry for themselves. Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 19 Aug. 2022 Also daunting though, to recognize the challenges that this disruptive sorry to use the word economy is is presenting us. Fortune Editors, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2022 And look at the sorry state of our roads—someone graffitied the asphalt with white lines! Evan Waite, The New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2022 The ensuing four acts are then structured around Chromatica itself, interspersed with songs from The Fame, The Fame Monster and Born This Way mostly (sorry to the Artpop or Joanne devotees: cuts from those albums were left off the setlist entirely). Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2022 For his part, Vance Barlow is sorry to see Allred go. Mark Eddington, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English sory, from Old English sārig, from sār sore
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing sorry
Kids Definition
sorry
adjective
sor·ry ˈsär-ē
sorrier; sorriest
1
: feeling sorrow or regret
I'm sorry I lied.
2
: causing sorrow, pity, or scorn : pitiful
a sorry sight
a sorry excuse
sorry
adjective
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
- lame
- pitiful
- mean
- nasty
- hateful
- dirty
- cheap
- disgusting
- wretched
- sneaking
- deplorable
- lousy
- vile
- pitiable
- contemptible
- despicable
- scurvy
- scabby
- shameful
- grubby
- disgraceful
- ratty
- paltry
- scummy
- cruddy
- abhorrent
- loathsome
- abominable
- odious
- revolting
- detestable
- repulsive
- repugnant
- condemnable
- craven
- execrable
- discreditable
- ignominious
- shabby
- dishonorable
- sordid
- cowardly
- disreputable
- ignoble
- reptilian
- unscrupulous
- revulsive
- reprehensible
- dastardly
- squalid
- blamable
- base
- unethical
- unprincipled
- censurable
- low
- reproachable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- admirable
- laudable
- commendable
- honest
- praiseworthy
- creditable
- good
- honorable
- noble
- meritorious
- scrupulous
- right
- redoubtable
- upright
- moral
- reputable
- virtuous
- righteous
- ethical
- high-minded
- right-minded
- principled
2
as in sad
causing unhappiness we have sorry news to report tonight Synonyms & Similar Words
- sad
- depressing
- unfortunate
- pathetic
- saddening
- tearful
- heartbreaking
- mournful
- melancholy
- teary
- disturbing
- dismal
- lamentable
- drear
- dreary
- deplorable
- discouraging
- distressful
- moving
- affecting
- touching
- disheartening
- perturbing
- woeful
- poignant
- distressing
- heartrending
- disquieting
- grievous
- discomforting
- discomposing
- dispiriting
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- glad
- happy
- cheery
- welcome
- inspiring
- pleasant
- heartening
- stimulating
- delightful
- stirring
- cheering
- uplifting
- enjoyable
- satisfying
- agreeable
- pleasing
- pleasurable
- heartwarming
- thrilling
- exhilarating
3
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy) the ragtag circus was a sorry spectacle indeed Synonyms & Similar Words
- pathetic
- sad
- pitiful
- lame
- miserable
- disgusting
- bad
- wretched
- contemptible
- despicable
- pitiable
- poor
- shameful
- disgraceful
- hateful
- notorious
- shameful
- deplorable
- infamous
- worthless
- stinking
- abominable
- odious
- abhorrent
- shocking
- lousy
- disreputable
- ignominious
- detestable
- discreditable
- unworthy
- beastly
- dishonorable
- inferior
- scandalous
- misbegotten
- sordid
- unsavory
- meritless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- decent
- admirable
- excellent
- worthy
- outstanding
- noticeable
- commendable
- noteworthy
- notable
- perfect
- respectable
- creditable
- laudable
- meritorious
- honest
- praiseworthy
- presentable
- honorable
- noble
- reputable
- redoubtable
- straight
- flawless
4
as in ashamed
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done she's genuinely sorry for hurting his feelings Synonyms & Similar Words
- ashamed
- remorseful
- apologetic
- regretful
- repentant
- contrite
- penitent
- grieving
- sheepish
- shamefaced
- weeping
- compunctious
- rueful
- wailing
- sorrowful
- plaintive
- dolorous
- lugubrious
- mournful
- woeful
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unrepentant
- cruel
- unapologetic
- remorseless
- ruthless
- impenitent
- shameless
- pitiless
- merciless
- unmerciful
- unashamed
- compassionless
5
as in heartbroken
feeling unhappiness was sorry to see the family farm being sold Synonyms & Similar Words
- sad
- heartbroken
- unhappy
- depressed
- bad
- miserable
- worried
- upset
- disappointed
- melancholy
- saddened
- sorrowful
- hopeless
- heartsick
- uneasy
- crestfallen
- troubled
- dejected
- mournful
- downhearted
- inconsolable
- woeful
- brokenhearted
- disconsolate
- downcast
- glum
- forlorn
- despondent
- wretched
- woebegone
- discouraged
- gloomy
- doleful
- cast down
- blue
- distressed
- joyless
- melancholic
- down
- droopy
- depressing
- hangdog
- heavyhearted
- suicidal
- heartsore
- low
- grieving
- low-spirited
- aggrieved
- regretful
- disheartened
- tearful
- despairing
- down in the mouth
- sunk
- dispirited
- weeping
- anguished
- bleak
- unquiet
- morbid
- somber
- lugubrious
- plaintive
- wailing
- agonized
- lachrymose
- rueful
- desolate
- morose
- dolorous
- dark
- gray
- cheerless
- sullen
- dismal
- comfortless
- elegiac
- dreary
- black
- darkening
- drear
- elegiacal
- saturnine
- murky
- funereal
- grey
- sombre
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- glad
- happy
- delighted
- cheerful
- joyous
- joyful
- ecstatic
- cheery
- blissful
- gleeful
- jubilant
- overjoyed
- excited
- exuberant
- elated
- sunny
- buoyed
- upbeat
- merry
- buoyant
- euphoric
- jolly
- hopeful
- rapturous
- exultant
- enraptured
- chipper
- jovial
- rhapsodical
- optimistic
- exhilarated
- rhapsodic
- thrilled
- jocular
- mirthful
- gladdened
- entranced
- jocose
- blithe
- blithesome
- jocund
- rosy
- sanguine
- gladsome
- pleased
- lightsome
- satisfied
- smiling
- encouraged
- laughing
- vital
- content
- energetic
- spirited
- frisky
- perky
- gratified
- lively
- bouncing
- vivacious
- animated
- careless
- grinning
- peppy
- unconcerned
- springy
- jaunty
- heartened
- sprightly
- zippy
- carefree
- cavalier
- lighthearted
- beaming
- boon
- easygoing
- insouciant
- sprightful
- happy-go-lucky
- devil-may-care
6
as in weeping
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
- heartbroken
- weeping
- mournful
- sad
- funeral
- grieving
- bitter
- regretful
- unhappy
- wailing
- lamentable
- aching
- anguished
- sorrowful
- melancholy
- bemoaning
- tearful
- crying
- depressed
- bewailing
- agonized
- woeful
- doleful
- rueful
- lugubrious
- plaintive
- deploring
- dolesome
- somber
- dolorous
- morbid
- pathetic
- plangent
- dark
- bleak
- groaning
- heartsick
- moaning
- miserable
- dejected
- keening
- funereal
- crestfallen
- downhearted
- inconsolable
- suffering
- dispirited
- downhearted
- disconsolate
- downcast
- despondent
- moody
- miserable
- bawling
- elegiac
- bleeding
- brokenhearted
- darkening
- downcast
- glum
- forlorn
- howling
- woebegone
- gloomy
- elegiacal
- careworn
- heartsore
- dirgelike
- desolate
- yammering
- pessimistic
- black
- wretched
- triste
- low
- gray
- piteous
- glum
- morose
- gloomy
- low-spirited
- cheerless
- sullen
- dismal
- joyless
- comfortless
- dreary
- saturnine
- grey
- sombre
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- happy
- delighted
- joyful
- triumphant
- smiling
- laughing
- cheerful
- cheery
- bright
- hopeful
- rejoicing
- merry
- joyous
- jolly
- optimistic
- blissful
- encouraging
- cheering
- exulting
- lighthearted
- ecstatic
- mirthful
- glorying
- blithe
- buoyant
- giddy
- euphoric
- rapturous
- blithesome
- elated
- rhapsodic
- jocund
- heady
- exhilarated
- rhapsodical
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
- poor
- pathetic
- pitiful
- miserable
- sad
- wretched
- horrible
- terrible
- disturbing
- heartbreaking
- piteous
- regrettable
- pitiable
- lamentable
- awful
- rueful
- impressive
- deplorable
- upsetting
- emotional
- inspiring
- mournful
- moving
- affecting
- touching
- poignant
- heartrending
- sorrowful
- distressing
- stirring
- grievous
- woeful
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unimpressive
- uninspiring
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
While in some cases nearly identical to sorry, pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.
a pitiable attempt at tragedy
Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.
a scurvy crew of hangers-on