alas

interjection

ə-ˈlas How to pronounce alas (audio)
Definition of alasnext
as in boo
used to express sorrow or distress Juliet's pitiful lament, "alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 alas After all, that makes sense, but alas, like much else in Cody Fern‘s directorial debut, even the most obvious of choices simply don’t add up. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 The same, alas, cannot be said for Invasion, by the Guardian correspondent Luke Harding. — Nick Holdstock, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026 That season’s trip to the West finals, alas, underscores what a disaster the Leonard era has been for this franchise, even as Leonard generally played amazingly. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Jackie Seabrooke, a celebrity hairstylist based in New York City, assured me that my hair nightmare was, alas, not unique. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alas
  1. boo
  2. aw
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
Definition of boo
Interjection
  • The girls, who have been aw-ing at Aniya’s love story with Carl, tell the boys to sit down.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 1 July 2026
  • In the north of the British Isles, people sometimes combined ye, a second person plural pronoun for you, along with aw, meaning all.
    — Bill Chappell, NPR, 16 July 2025
Definition of aw

Browse Nearby Words

alarums and excursions
alas
albatross
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alas. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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