what a shame synonym

June 28, 2026

For “what a shame,” good direct synonyms in everyday English include:

What a pity
That’s too bad
That’s a pity
That’s a shame
What bad luck
That’s unfortunate
That’s sad to hear
I’m sorry to hear that
That’s disappointing

If you want something more informal or conversational, people also say:

Bummer
That sucks
Tough break
That really stings

These alternatives all express sympathy or mild regret, with tone ranging from gentle and polite (“what a pity”) to casual (“bummer”) or blunt (“that sucks”).