ˈmi-zər-bəl
1
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
spent the night in a miserable jail cell
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness
the awful news made us miserable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in terrible
of low quality
a miserable meal that I wouldn't feed to a dog
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4
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
a miserable little apartment
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5
as in poor
deserving of one's pity
miserable refugees from the war-torn country
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6
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
that ugly mutt is one miserable excuse for a dog
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of miserable
Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
The Angels thumped the Colorado Rockies 11-4, but one good night cannot change the trajectory of a miserable season.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
The absence of Alonso (or any true power bat) hasn’t been the full story of Boston’s miserable 25-34 start to the season, nor is his presence in Baltimore the full story of their slightly better 29-32 beginnings.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026
If you’re obsessed and determined to be poor and miserable, then stay and fight for your place in the sun.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for miserable
Adjective
The sea was rough, windy, and miserable.
—Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
The Angels thumped the Colorado Rockies 11-4, but one good night cannot change the trajectory of a miserable season.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
The absence of Alonso (or any true power bat) hasn’t been the full story of Boston’s miserable 25-34 start to the season, nor is his presence in Baltimore the full story of their slightly better 29-32 beginnings.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026
If you’re obsessed and determined to be poor and miserable, then stay and fight for your place in the sun.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for miserable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miserable
Adjective
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Their pursuit leads them down a highly unusual path with no easy answers, and Bong masterfully balances tonal shifts from bleak tragedy to absurdist humor to highlight why the case remains so compelling.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
-
The picture looks much bleaker for the president now.—
Linley Sanders,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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The European Commission froze billions of euros in funds for Hungary in response to democratic backsliding led by Orbán, and concern lingers about the damage that can be done when one unhappy government insists on wielding its veto.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
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Social media is making children unhappy and is designed to be addictive, Starmer said at a press conference.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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In 2012, a powerful quake visited terrible damage on the city of Modena, Bottura’s home and host to his restaurant.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The letter writer’s cousin has cancer, and the chemo gives her terrible side effects.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Buck Island offered to sell the dilapidated unit to Brown for $1,000, funded partially with her security deposit.—
Gretchen Morgenson,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
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Google reviews show the Super 8 in West Haven deteriorating to poor service and dilapidated rooms and finally permanently closed.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
16 June 2026
-
Equating the Holocaust to Gaza is in extremely poor taste.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Consider this pathetic phenomenon yet one more reason the American people — or, at least, Californians — should demand a more rational way to fund political campaigns.—
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
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After a truly pathetic opening half, the Knicks needed to give each and every row in MSG something to cheer about.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Bournemouth are not a pauper club any more, but the performance this season has still be remarkable.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
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The Titanic is still a subject of worldwide fascination, in part because of the range of passengers aboard the ship, from paupers to plutocrats.—
Jill Lawless,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The pressure cooker of veterinary school, combined with my disconnection from nature and from the people who loved me and knew me best, left me increasingly isolated, lonely and depleted.—
Brad Ryan,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
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Today, Cobbs, 36, splits her time between southeastern San Diego and Atlanta, and took some time to talk about her work, and being able to help other people feel a little less lonely.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Miserable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miserable. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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