unhappy
adjective
un·hap·py
ˌən-ˈha-pē 
1
a
: not cheerful or glad : sad, wretched
didn't know why the child was so unhappy
I left the store an unhappy [=dissatisfied] customer.
—often used with with, about, or thatThey were unhappy with the way things turned out.
The children were unhappy about going back to school.
I'm unhappy that my best friend is moving.
b
: causing or involving feelings of sadness : not pleasant or joyful
an unhappy marriage/childhood
spent several unhappy hours stuck at the airport
2
: not fortunate : unlucky
an unhappy coincidence
3
a
: causing or subject to misfortune : inauspicious
a particularly unhappy moment for the story to leak
b
: infelicitous, inappropriate
an unhappy choice
unhappiness
noun
Examples of unhappy in a Sentence
I can see that he's unhappy, but I don't know why.
I've never seen her looking so unhappy.
For three unhappy days we were all stuck in the house because of the blizzard.
an unhappy choice of career
The movie's hero meets an unhappy fate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Earlier this season, Marchment struggled mightily — and seemed plenty unhappy — with the Seattle Kraken, but his trade to the Blue Jackets in late December revitalized his season.
—
Harman Dayal, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Though support is mostly polarized along party lines, a small but notable slice of Republicans is unhappy with the decision to launch a war in the Middle East.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Clemens coach Robert Bell was apparently unhappy enough with his team that his halftime speech went so long the officials had to go remind the Buffaloes the halftime clock was running out.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
But, Seymour said, that does not mean the CIF State office is unhappy with having the games in Sacramento.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unhappy
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Harman Dayal, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Though support is mostly polarized along party lines, a small but notable slice of Republicans is unhappy with the decision to launch a war in the Middle East.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Clemens coach Robert Bell was apparently unhappy enough with his team that his halftime speech went so long the officials had to go remind the Buffaloes the halftime clock was running out.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
But, Seymour said, that does not mean the CIF State office is unhappy with having the games in Sacramento.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unhappy
Cite this Entry
“Unhappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unhappy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unhappy
adjective
un·hap·py
ˌən-ˈhap-ē
1
: not fortunate : unlucky
an unhappy mistake
2
: not cheerful : sad
3
: inappropriate
an unhappy color combination
unhappily
adverb
-ˈhap-ə-lē
unhappiness
noun
-ˈhap-i-nəs
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