woe 1 of 2

woe

2 of 2

noun

1
2

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
Routine maintenance can help Americans avoid repair cost woes. Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 The Cardinals continue to win at home and have fixed their road woes from the beginning of the year, keeping them in the mix. Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025 Such a move would be very much focused on addressing Apple’s short-term AI woes. Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 1 July 2025 While farming is all around a difficult industry, roe comes with its own woes. Kylie Williams, Miami Herald, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for woe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for woe
Interjection
  • Williams also recalled witnessing the Super Bowl crowd boo Taylor Swift when she was shown on the jumbotron cheering on her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Brown said a bite from a lone star tick can trigger an allergic reaction, with symptoms including hives, gastrointestinal distress and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis.
    State House News Service, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
  • Tiffany had shown no indication of being depressed or in emotional distress.
    Alex Gurley, People.com, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett also condemned the shooting and expressed his sorrow for the parents of the victims.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2025
  • We are filled with unbearable sorrow and despair at our loss.
    Aaron Valdez, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Joseph writhes in the agony of his own newfound girl craziness (and cleavage obsession).
    Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 7 July 2025
  • Williams was never offered any other clear pathway to finding relief—even as the agony from her fibroids was getting worse.
    Kayla Greaves, SELF, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • But the first lady and I are here in Texas to express the love and support and the anguish of our entire nation in the aftermath of this really horrific and deadly flood.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 July 2025
  • Ming-Na Wen Tapped Into Deep Emotions To Play Dr. Fong In ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ While Ming-Na Wen doesn’t throw a punch in Karate Kid: Legends, that doesn’t mean her character hasn’t been in past battles, particularly those dealing with mental anguish.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Fortune said Thursday that the Obama administration gave Haitians temporary protective status after an earthquake devastated Haiti, multiplying the island’s many miseries.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 3 July 2025
  • The season ends with so many of the characters on the verge of a path to proper fulfillment; why prolong their misery?
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Because grief does not respect titles, postcodes or calendars.
    Belal Aftab, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
  • We're filled with grief and devastation the loss of life.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 12 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Woe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/woe. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on woe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!