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Definitions

miserable

[miz-er-uh-buhl, miz-ruh-] / ˈmɪz ər ə bəl, ˈmɪz rə- /
ADJECTIVE
unhappy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
gloomy pathetic sad tragic unhappy wretched
WEAK
afflicted agonized ailing anguished brokenhearted crestfallen dejected depressed desolate despairing despondent destroyed disconsolate discontented distressed doleful dolorous down down in the mouth downcast forlorn heartbroken hopeless hurt hurting ill in pain injured melancholy mournful not happy on a downer pained pitiable racked rueful ruthful sick sickly sorrowful strained suffering tormented tortured troubled woebegone wounded
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful happy joyful
WEAK
elated merry
ADJECTIVE
destitute, shabby
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bad meager pathetic poor sad shameful sorry tragic wretched
WEAK
abject contemptible deplorable despicable detestable disgraceful godforsaken impoverished indigent inferior lamentable low mean needy paltry penniless piteous pitiable poverty-stricken scanty scurvy sordid squalid vile worthless
Antonyms
STRONGEST
adequate advantageous fortunate good great nice reputable
WEAK
generous rich wealthy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Henry may be living a miserable life that he wants to escape from, but fans have been losing themselves in baseball for a long time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The stress of our high-pressure careers has left both my wife and me completely miserable.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

"I fear that I would have ended up being a world champion but a very depressed, sad and miserable world champion."

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

The economy, the outdoors, our culture, and our pride in this place — the plague of smog didn’t just change our character, it became a character in our lives, and a miserable one too.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

He was a miserable person to be around.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day

Vocabulary lists containing miserable

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 1–6

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Curmudgeon, Cantankerous and Churlish: Grouchy Words

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Charlotte's Web

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