sorrow

/ˈsär-(ˌ)ō/

Middle English sorow, from Old English sorg; akin to Old High German sorga sorrow

noun

  1. deep distress, sadness, or regret especially for the loss of someone or something loved

  2. resultant unhappy or unpleasant state

  3. a cause of grief or sadness

to their great sorrow they could not marry

sorrow grief anguish woe regret mean distress of mind. sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse. grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

verb

  1. to feel or express sorrow

idiom

  1. because of sadness or disappointment rather than anger

He spoke more in sorrow than in anger about the fact that he was being forced out of his position.