Definition of miserable
1 : being in a pitiable state of distress or unhappiness (as from want or shame) miserable refugees
2a : wretchedly inadequate or meager (see meager 2) a miserable hovelb : 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
nounmiserableness
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
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 of miserable from the Web
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A dozen dogs that were living in miserable conditions at a South Korean farm that raises dogs for meat now have a much brighter future.
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The Royals were mired in a miserable opening month.
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After a miserable May, iron ore is opening the new month on the back foot.
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Clowes’ refusal to tack toward a happy ending, or even a darkly miserable one, helps Ghost World linger.
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The Cubs hope Butler, who was 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in his first three starts, can ascend after a rough beginning with the Rockies the same way Arrieta did after he was traded to the Cubs in July 2013 after a miserable start with the Orioles.
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Jose Bautista has been a driving force in the resurgence, hitting .320 with nine homers with 21 RBIs following a miserable April.
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Both missed the final stretch of the Panthers’ miserable post-Super Bowl season after getting injured in a Thursday night loss to New Orleans in November.
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The Mets have lost eight of their past 11 games, and even red-hot Conforto had a miserable night in the rain.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'miserable'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of miserable
Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin miserabilis wretched, pitiable, from miserari to pity, from miser
First Known Use: 15th century
MISERABLE Defined for English Language Learners
miserable
playDefinition of miserable for English Language Learners
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: very unhappy
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: very sick or unwell
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: very severe or unpleasant
MISERABLE Defined for Kids
miserable
playDefinition of miserable for Students
1 : very unhappy or distressed The stranded passengers were miserable.
2 : causing great discomfort a miserable cold
3 : very unsatisfactory miserable weather
miserably
\-blē\ adverb We failed miserably.Learn More about miserable
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for miserable Spanish Central: Translation of miserable Nglish: Translation of miserable for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of miserable for Arabic speakers
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