SORROW

Definition of SORROW

SORROW Noun

Sorrow is a noun that refers to a deep feeling of distress, sadness, or grief caused by a significant loss, disappointment, or hardship. It encompasses the emotional pain and anguish experienced in response to adverse events or situations.

Deep Sadness or Grief: Sorrow describes a profound sense of sadness or grief, often resulting from personal loss, tragedy, or significant disappointment. This usage emphasizes the intensity and depth of the emotional response. For example, “The death of her beloved pet filled her with immense sorrow.”

Emotional Distress: Sorrow can also refer to the emotional distress or anguish experienced due to unfortunate events or circumstances. This usage highlights the impact of negative experiences on one’s emotional well-being. For instance, “The community shared in the sorrow of the families affected by the disaster.”

Contrast with Joy or Contentment: Understanding sorrow helps distinguish it from emotions such as joy or contentment, which represent positive or pleasurable feelings. While sorrow denotes sadness and grief, joy and contentment reflect happiness and satisfaction. For example, “Her sorrow was palpable, contrasting sharply with the joy of the celebration.”

Role in Expressing Emotional Responses: Sorrow plays a significant role in expressing emotional responses to loss or hardship. It helps articulate the depth of one’s feelings and the impact of adverse situations. For instance, “In her letter, she conveyed her deep sorrow over the recent events.”

Cultural and Social Contexts: The expression and experience of sorrow can vary across cultures and social contexts, influencing how individuals and communities deal with grief and loss. This includes rituals, traditions, and social support systems. For example, “Different cultures have various ways of expressing sorrow and mourning the deceased.”

Implications for Coping and Healing: Sorrow can have implications for coping and healing processes, influencing how individuals navigate and address their grief. Understanding and acknowledging sorrow can be crucial for emotional recovery and support. For instance, “Counseling and support groups can help individuals cope with their sorrow and work through their grief.”

Historical and Literary Significance: Sorrow often features in historical and literary contexts, representing human experiences and themes of tragedy, loss, and resilience. Literature and history provide insight into how different societies have understood and dealt with sorrow. For example, “Shakespeare’s plays frequently explore themes of sorrow and its impact on characters.”

In conclusion, sorrow is a noun that refers to a profound sense of sadness, grief, or emotional distress caused by loss, disappointment, or hardship. Whether experienced personally or shared communally, sorrow highlights the depth of emotional pain and its impact on individuals and communities. Recognizing sorrow helps in understanding emotional responses, coping mechanisms, and cultural expressions related to grief and loss.

Examples of SORROW in a sentence

  • She felt a deep sense of sorrow after hearing the news of her friend’s passing.
  • The community gathered to share their sorrow and support each other during the difficult time.
  • His eyes were filled with sorrow as he spoke about the lost opportunities of his youth.
  • The novel explores themes of sorrow and redemption through its complex characters.
  • They expressed their sorrow through a heartfelt letter to the grieving family.
  • The sorrow of the breakup was evident in the way he struggled to move on.
  • The sorrow of losing a beloved pet can be as profound as losing a human friend.
  • In the face of overwhelming sorrow, she found solace in her close friends and family.

Origin of SORROW

The word sorrow has its origins in Old English and Proto-Germanic, evolving into Modern English to describe a deep feeling of sadness or distress.

  • Old English:
    • Sorh (grief, distress)
    • In Old English, sorh referred to intense grief or distress. It was commonly used to express emotional pain, especially related to loss, misfortune, or hardship.
  • Proto-Germanic:
    • Surga- (pain, distress)
    • The Proto-Germanic root surga- also signified pain, distress, or suffering, and is the basis for similar terms in other Germanic languages. This root emphasizes the emotional aspect of suffering or grief.
  • Middle English:
    • Sorwe (grief, lamentation)
    • In Middle English, sorwe was used to describe feelings of grief or lamentation, continuing the Old English meaning. The word was often employed in literature to depict emotional suffering or heartache.
  • Modern English:
    • Sorrow (deep sadness, grief)
    • In Modern English, sorrow refers to deep sadness or grief, typically caused by loss, disappointment, or other emotional suffering. The word has maintained its emotional weight and is used to describe both personal feelings of sadness and broader expressions of mourning or regret.

The term sorrow has retained its meaning of grief and distress from its Proto-Germanic and Old English origins, evolving through Middle English to its current usage as a profound expression of emotional suffering.

Synonyms

  • Grief
  • Sadness
  • Misery
  • Heartache
  • Distress
  • Despair
  • Regret
  • Woe

Antonyms

  • Joy
  • Happiness
  • Delight
  • Pleasure
  • Elation
  • Contentment
  • Cheerfulness
  • Bliss

Related

  • Melancholy
  • Mourning
  • Lamentation
  • Affliction
  • Dejection
  • Agony
  • Sympathy
  • Consolation

🌐 🇬🇧 SORROW in other languages

Terms of Use

Privacy & Cookies

Disclaimer

Who We Are

Main Sections

Idioms

Geographical Locations

Organisations

Professions

Let´s Talk

Contact

Instagram

® 2024 https://DefinitionGo.com