sorriest
Most pitifully inadequate
Sorriest is the superlative of sorry—the most regretful, the most pitiful, or the most pathetic.
It often emphasizes inadequacy or wretchedness: the sorriest excuse I've ever heard, the sorriest-looking dog in the shelter.
The word carries contempt when describing people or things that fall far short of expectations.
Feeling guilt over misdeeds
- penitentOne showing remorse
- repentantFeeling sorrow for misdeeds
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
- ruefulExpressing sorrowful repentance
sheepish · abashed · chagrined · conscience-stricken · guilt-ridden · red-faced · mortified · humiliated
Arousing scornful pity
- woefulExtremely sad or pitiful
- deplorableDeserving strong disapproval
- lamentableDeserving strong disapproval
- wretchedExtremely unhappy or unfortunate
miserable · pitiable · dismal · abject · hopeless · sad · feeble · poor
Feeling guilt for wrongdoing
- guiltMoral self-reproach
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- penitenceRemorse for misdeeds
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
self-reproach · repentance · heartache · wistful · rueing · mournful · heavy-hearted · doleful
contrite
Feeling guilt over misdeeds
- penitentOne showing remorse
- repentantFeeling sorrow for misdeeds
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
rueful · sheepish · abashed · chagrined · conscience-stricken · guilt-ridden · red-faced · mortified · humiliated · discomfited
pathetic
Arousing scornful pity
- woefulExtremely sad or pitiful
- deplorableDeserving strong disapproval
- lamentableDeserving strong disapproval
wretched · miserable · pitiable · dismal · abject · hopeless · sad · feeble · poor · meager
remorseful
Feeling guilt for wrongdoing
- guiltMoral self-reproach
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- penitenceRemorse for misdeeds
compunction · self-reproach · repentance · heartache · wistful · rueing · mournful · heavy-hearted · doleful · grieving