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woe

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noun

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word woe different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of woe are anguish, grief, regret, and sorrow. While all these words mean "distress of mind," woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

When is it sensible to use anguish instead of woe?

The meanings of anguish and woe largely overlap; however, anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

When is grief a more appropriate choice than woe?

The words grief and woe can be used in similar contexts, but grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

Where would regret be a reasonable alternative to woe?

While the synonyms regret and woe are close in meaning, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

When can sorrow be used instead of woe?

While in some cases nearly identical to woe, sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

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 woe
Noun
Shopping unprepared might just be the biggest furniture woe yet. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2025 Blame It on Rio tells the tale of two middle-aged men who head to Rio de Janeiro to chase young girls amid marital woes. Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025 These woes will only deepen if the U.S. President follows through on his tariff threats. Ido Vock, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025 But this may not signal the end of luxury woes as a mixed picture emerged from the breakdown by materials. Lily Templeton, WWD, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for woe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for woe
Interjection
  • Highlights include a costume parade (for kids and parents), a Purim story and boo Haman and songs.
    Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024
  • Volunteer yourself to help with X, Y and Z accommodations if that lightens the family’s workload, without saying boo about the couple’s choices.
    Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2024
Noun
  • The lawsuit alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and loss of consortium, which allows for recovery of damages for relationships that are mutually dependent.
    Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Mexico, Canada, and China are the first, second, and third largest trading partners of the U.S. Markets React to Tariff Disruption Equities markets indicated distress in a number of ways.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Now his parents have photos of Sammy on the North Carolina campus during a visit, a condolence letter from the university and deep sorrow for a life cut short.
    Michael Cuglietta, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
  • But Magnani elevates Serafina into a lightning storm of rage, sorrow, and vengeance.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Challenges of rebuilding Victims who lost homes will be faced with the decision whether to rebuild — which can be agony.
    Tony Saavedra, Orange County Register, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Then, Cara’s killshot was followed by her screams of agony at her dire circumstances.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • But last year's Olympics were also a major source of anguish.
    Christopher Intagliata, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Every repeat viewing of Abraham's performance reveals some new moment of humiliation — some fresh sickening glimmer of anguish that feels all too familiar.
    EW.com, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • That system, Fritz Alphonse Jean said, has fueled immense misery and social inequalities as well as the current gang violence that has a desperate population urgently calling for help.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Indian spiritual leader and environmental campaigner Sadhguru has spoken to Newsweek about the nation's mental health, offering his secret to achieving a good state of mind by choosing joy or misery.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Hancock opened up about his struggle with depression, anxiety, grief and PTSD following the September 2024 shooting, which also left nine people injured.
    Devyn Byers, CNN, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The accident claimed her life, leaving family, friends, and fans in profound grief.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 1 Mar. 2025
Interjection
  • Studies of fathers have generated some alarmist headlines over the years, and Hrdy has kindly collated them: no dad joke: fatherhood shrinks the brain; aw, nuts!
    Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
  • And then … aw, just cue up the video player for the epic Francisco Lindor homer that won this thing!
    Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Woe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woe. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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