miserable

adjective

mis·​er·​a·​ble
ˈmi-zər-bəl,
ˈmiz-rə-,
ˈmi-zə-rə- How to pronounce miserable (audio)
1
: being in a pitiable state of distress or unhappiness (as from want or shame)
miserable refugees
2
a
: wretchedly inadequate or meager (see meager sense 2)
a miserable hovel
b
: causing extreme discomfort or unhappiness
a miserable situation
miserable weather
his miserable childhood
3
: being likely to discredit or shame
his miserable neglect of his wife
had a miserable, snide contempt for our countryJoyce Winslow
miserable noun
miserableness noun
miserably
ˈmi-zər-blē
ˈmiz-rə-
ˈmi-zə-rə- How to pronounce miserable (audio)
adverb

Examples of miserable in a Sentence

He had a miserable childhood. My boss is making my life thoroughly miserable with her constant demands and criticism. He felt lonely and miserable after his divorce. I've had a miserable cold for the past week. He lived in a miserable little shack.
Recent Examples on the Web Boeing is in big trouble Boeing has has a pretty miserable 2024, reports my colleague David Goldman. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 Here’s how to feel a little less miserable in the week ahead. Korin Miller, SELF, 8 Mar. 2024 Unlike last year, the Lakers didn’t remake their roster at the deadline — something that seemed a likelihood after the team’s miserable December. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024 The Furies of ancient Greece and Rome were also divine, a trio of miserable hags with snakes for hair. Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 This should stop the major issue of someone with a top-level preset being matched against someone with a low-tier preset and making their life miserable due to the difference in weapon strength. Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 The trio has made life miserable on opponents in recent wins over the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vegas Golden Knights. Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2024 Comfort: If your baby isn’t comfortable in their seat, the car ride may be miserable for everyone. Jessica Booth, Parents, 14 Feb. 2024 This is the legacy of Proposition 187, the 1994 ballot measure overwhelmingly passed by California voters that sought to make life miserable for undocumented immigrants. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'miserable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin miserabilis wretched, pitiable, from miserari to pity, from miser

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of miserable was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near miserable

Cite this Entry

“Miserable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miserable. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

miserable

adjective
mis·​er·​a·​ble ˈmiz-ər-bəl How to pronounce miserable (audio)
ˈmiz-(ə-)rə-bəl
1
a
: shabby in condition or quality
a miserable place to live
b
: causing great discomfort or unhappiness
a miserable cold
2
: extremely poor or unhappy : wretched
3
miserableness noun
miserably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on miserable

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