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alas

alas

140 7.4
To show sadness or feel sorry about something bad
  • interjection
  • /əˈlæs/
  • Literature
translation icon : lamentablemente
  • Alas, I have no doubt that my greatest weakness is revenge.
  • Alas, it came
  • now, Alas
  • Alas, the truth

We deal, but alas, narcissistic folks don't deal.

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Examples

  • He left us all too soon, alas.

  • Alas, alas, there are hundreds of these in my shop.

  • Alas, alas, to those that die with their songs still inside them.

  • It's a bit Christmas, but alas, that is not working.

  • But alas, they are not looking great.

  • Time goes, you say, Alas, time stays, we go.

  • What has faded, alas, is our memory of the man and who he truly was.

  • We thought about doing it ourselves, but alas, it is up for sale on bringatrailer.com.

  • Alas, there are no secrets anymore, Merrill.

  • I wanted to go to the concert, but alas, I couldn't get tickets.

Synonyms

unfortunately
vsalas
2.9

Shows that something is sad or unlucky

is a shorter sad exclamation rather than a factual statement
too bad
vsalas
  • Informal
643 3.3

Saying that something is unfortunate or disappointing

is more of a sorrowful exclamation than a casual comment
sadly
vsalas
291 1.0

To show that something is unfortunate or disappointing

is more of an emotional interjection than a plain notice
regrettably
vsalas
  • Formal
35 4.6

Saying that something is sad or disappointing

is a more emotional exclamation of sadness or disappointment
aww
vsalas
  • Informal
29 8.7

Short sound people make when they feel sorry or disappointed

is a stronger, more sorrowful exclamation about bad news
darn it
vsalas
  • Informal
17 8.4

A short phrase people say when they feel frustrated or disappointed

expresses sadness or regret rather than anger or irritation
regretfully
vsalas
  • Formal
13 3.8

Saying something while feeling sorry, often when you tell bad news

is less formal and more like a short sad exclamation
ruefully
vsalas
11 6.9

In a way that shows you feel sorry about something you did

is a simpler sad exclamation without the ironic tone
lamentably
vsalas
  • Formal
2 8.0

In a way that makes people feel regret or sadness

is a quick emotional reaction rather than a solemn comment
sorrowfully
vsalas
1 4.6

In a sad way that shows a person is sorry

is a briefer exclamation focusing on immediate disappointment
unluckily
vsalas
1 2.0

In a way that happens because of bad luck

focuses on sorrow or disappointment regardless of cause
more's the pity
vsalas
  • Informal
1 9.1

A phrase people say to show regret about bad news

is more neutral-sounding as a short sad remark
alack
vsalas
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An old word people say to show sadness or regret

is a common, present-day sad interjection rather than archaic
womp womp
vsalas
  • Informal
1 9.9

A short sad sound people make to show disappointment

is a genuine sorrowful exclamation rather than a joking sound
lackaday
vsalas
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A word you say to show regret, surprise, or disappointment

is a modern, straightforward sad or regretful interjection

How Strong

ugh
  • Informal
282 7.9
bah
  • Informal
8 9.8
rew
  • Archaic
9.9
alas
  • Literature
140 7.4
aww
  • Informal
29 8.7
ah
1.0

Surface Forms

alas main

Etymology

Alas comes from an old cry meaning 'woe' or 'oh' that people used when something sad happened. So, using alas today is a short way to show sadness or regret.