sad sack

noun

US, informal
: a blundering, inept person
… a sad sack so unlucky in love that when his girlfriend splits, his family sides with her.Rand Richards Cooper
sad-sack adjective

Examples of sad sack in a Sentence

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.
Only Bob Odenkirk, who gave a terrific performance as the office sad sack, is in the running for a Tony. Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 May 2025 In fact, a timeout training video, if some sad sack were sorry enough to film one, could dedicate itself to Thibodeau’s fourth quarter. Fred Katz, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 Hacks follows the hilariously toxic relationship between Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a legendary Las Vegas comedian trying to stage a comeback, and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), a younger sad sack comedy writer. Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025 And because Remick is also an insecure sad sack who desperately covets recognition, his personal inadequacies prevent him from doing anything particularly well. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sad sack

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sad sack was in 1942

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Cite this Entry

“Sad sack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sad%20sack. Accessed 9 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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