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
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.
Boise State generally made life miserable for Layne, the Idaho Vandals transfer who followed his coach, Jason Eck, from Moscow to Albuquerque. Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025 Brandon Marsh, who produced after a miserable April, looks more like a strong-side platoon corner outfielder than an everyday center fielder. Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 But what leads to a miserable life tends to be universal and straightforward. Big Think, 9 Oct. 2025 The upshot of this contempt is a season that layers hypocrisy as well as sanctimony over the grubby, tedious nihilism that made Dahmer so miserable to watch. Judy Berman, Time, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for miserable

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Miserable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miserable. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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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