Synonyms for

Woes

Verb / wəʊz / Another word for woes — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Woeful distress caused by affliction or loss; deep sorrow.

Synonyms & similar words

woe suffering woefulness sorrow distress misery anguish hardship tribulation affliction pain heartache grief sadness despair trouble unhappiness suffering disappointment melancholy dejection gloom desolation

Synonyms by register

Formal

afflictions adversities calamities hardships

Informal

troubles problems hiccups bummers

Literary

sorrows griefs tribulations

Antonyms

joys bliss happiness pleasures delights successes good fortune

Common collocations

  • economic woes
  • personal woes
  • national woes
  • list of woes
  • ancient woes
  • daily woes
  • endless woes

Word family

noun woe
adjective woeful

Usage note

Woe is often used in the plural to refer to a general state of suffering or misfortune. It can sound somewhat dramatic or archaic in everyday conversation.

Example sentences

  1. She was crying and telling her woes to her best friend.
  2. The company's woes were the result of poor management.
  3. The town's economic woes were due to the closing of the factory.
  4. He poured out his woes to the therapist.
  5. The singer wrote a song about his woes and heartbreak.

Quotes

  • Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought. - Percy Bysshe Shelley
  • The course of true love never did run smooth. - William Shakespeare
  • Grief is the price we pay for love. - Queen Elizabeth II

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