miserable

adjective

mis·​er·​a·​ble

ˈmi-zər-bəl,

ˈmiz-rə-,

ˈmi-zə-rə- 

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 country

—Joyce Winslow

miserable noun

miserableness noun

miserably

ˈmi-zər-blē

ˈmiz-rə-

ˈmi-zə-rə- 

adverb

Synonyms

• bleak
• lonely
• depressing
• depressive
• dark
• somber
• desolate
• darkening
• cold
• lonesome
• murky
• wretched
• morbid
• grey
• depressed
• solemn
• gray

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

Meanwhile, Jeremiah is miserable, has nowhere to live, and is trying to find meaning through meaningless flings. —Olivia Petter, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2025

The Arizona Cardinals and head coach Jonathan Gannon made life miserable for Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and head coach Dave Canales, from start to finish, Sunday at State Farm Stadium. —Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2025

There is little that has gone right for Tanner Scott this week, the most miserable one in what has been a rotten year in the first season as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ $72 million closer. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025

In a game of miserable failures for the Chiefs, there was a sliver of success in the Super Bowl blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last season. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing miserable

• (as) miserable as sin

Kids Definition

miserable

adjective

mis·​er·​a·​ble ˈmiz-ər-bəl 

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

: pitiful sense 1, lamentable

miserableness noun

miserably

-blē 

adverb