Sorrowful, a.
Etymology: [OE. sorweful, AS. sorgful.]
1. Full of sorrow; exhibiting sorrow; sad; dejected; distressed. "This sorrowful prisoner." Chaucer. My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. Matt. xxvi. 38.
2. Producing sorrow; exciting grief; mournful; lamentable; grievous; as, a sorrowful accident.
Syn. -- Sad; mournful; dismal; disconsolate; drear; dreary; grievous; lamentable; doleful; distressing. -- Sor"row*ful*ly, adv. -- Sor"row*ful*ness, n.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for sorrowful; he lists it under pitiful.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.