HANGDOG Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

hangdog

adjective

ˈhaŋ-ˌdȯg

Definition of hangdog

as in sad

feeling unhappiness "Why do you look so hangdog today?" she asked

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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.

Recent Examples of hangdog His Mickey is pleasantly mumbly, with a hangdog mien that’s often crosscut with a don’t-underestimate-me swagger. — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2022 Vic accepts his highly public and private humiliation with hangdog equanimity. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 Mar. 2022 Segel earns some empathy as a hangdog Everyman, though his backstory remains such a deliberate blank that any insight is mostly gleaned from his blundering missteps and low-simmering misery. — Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2022 Another slip here is the casting of Effros in the lead role of Martin, a hangdog techie who travels from New York to Cape Cod to settle the estate of his late, estranged dad, Kenneth. — Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2022 See All Example Sentences for hangdog

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hangdog

Adjective

However — here is the gold dust — the perfect blend is gay AND sad.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Top Plays from Broncos @ Chiefs Perhaps the only solace for the Broncos after a season of sky-high expectations opened with a flop is those sorts of sad adjectives belonged to everyone.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

Quietly depressed, a wife to Reuben (Tracy Letts, Coon’s real-life partner) and mother to Ella (Bella Ramsey) and Jo (Odessa Young), Rita holds a monotonous desk job at a bank by day, and tends to her family by night as part of her humdrum routine.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Sprague conceded Clancy had mental health issues and was depressed.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of depressed

Adjective

But when an oblong ball hits the turf, there’s often an equal chance the other team will recover, so Harbaugh was predictably unhappy with his team’s four fumbles against Dallas.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
There's also the daunting task of keeping young conservatives engaged at a time when many of them are unhappy with party leaders.

— Elena Moore, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

Trabzonspor had two bids rejected — or Saudi Arabia are over, with both countries’ transfer windows also now closed, leaving a return to Brazil as Richarlison’s only escape from a seemingly miserable situation.

— Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Cubs fans have alternated between being ecstatic and miserable, sometimes in the same inning.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of miserable

Adjective

And viewers’ mileage will certainly vary with this peculiar, fun little concoction on seclusion, connection and the need to belong that can’t hide its undercurrent of melancholy about the sorry state of a divided world.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026
Roderick In Poe’s famous short story The Fall of the House of Usher, Roderick Usher is a melancholy recluse who believes his haunted mansion is the cause of his deteriorating health.

— Anna Earl, Parents, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of melancholy

Adjective

Jeffrey Katzenberg, then a studio executive at Paramount Pictures, hand-picked the Happy Days star for the job, but at the time, Winkler had a bad feeling about accepting it.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
How many of us make things worse More seasoned Internet users—a fair number who read this site—are quick to dismiss the attack.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of bad

Browse Nearby Words

hang back

hangdog

hanger-on

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“Hangdog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hangdog. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hangdog

adjective

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Synonyms of hangdog

adjective

Example Sentences

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Cite this Entry

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