hangdog

adjective

ˈhaŋ-ˌdȯg How to pronounce hangdog (audio)
Definition of hangdognext
as in sad
feeling unhappiness "Why do you look so hangdog today?" she asked

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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
  1. sad
  2. depressed
  3. unhappy
  4. heartbroken
  5. miserable
  6. melancholy
  7. bad
  8. sorry
Adjective
  • Said sad attraction is not exactly comparable to Buckingham Fountain.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Their deaths were a sad reminder of the danger that pneumococcal pneumonia poses to older adults.
    — Mark Marino, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of sad
Adjective
  • When Magic Lotus becomes secretly depressed after another death in the ring at his hands, Tongchai supports his exile into nature from the boxing world.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 July 2026
  • For those feeling exhausted, depressed or burned out, or as if one more issue or crisis will be tomorrow’s tipping point, now is the time to act.
    — Dr. Talia Varley, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of depressed
Adjective
  • So this became, like, a collective therapy session for everyone unhappy with the government.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Their heated exchange on the field lasted more than two minutes, with Jones unhappy that Szoboszlai had given the captain’s armband to Tsimikas rather than him when the Hungary midfielder was substituted 13 minutes from time.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • Local photographers are heartbroken after a young eagle was hit and killed by a train in Beaver County earlier this month.
    — Jessica Guay, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 29 July 2026
Definition of heartbroken
Adjective
  • Maybe people don’t realize, but a lot of shows become miserable to work on.
    — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
  • Despite the miserable May that cast their season into the wilderness, the ability is still there.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of miserable
Adjective
  • What reads at a casual distance as serene maternal tenderness shifts, on closer inspection, into something more ambivalent—a shade of melancholy that surfaces only when the eye lingers on Mary’s face.
    — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Midland put their stamp on the idea by maintaining those mixed emotions of melancholy and excitement; the romance but also the rootlessness of a life spent on the road.
    — Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of melancholy
Adjective
  • The last war, which began in 2014, left Yemen facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
    — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Even worse, Brooks directed him to contact his agent instead.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • So, sorry to Aaron, and hello to Viva Paper Towels, who is putting up $20,000 for the winner of this challenge.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The point of Kleiman’s post is for average folks to feel sorry for the seven-time Super Bowl champ.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of sorry

Browse Nearby Words

hang back
hangdog
hanger-on
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hangdog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hangdog. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hangdog for Spanish Speakers

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