ˈmi-zər-bəl
1
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
spent the night in a miserable jail cell
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness
the awful news made us miserable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in terrible
of low quality
a miserable meal that I wouldn't feed to a dog
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
a miserable little apartment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in poor
deserving of one's pity
miserable refugees from the war-torn country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
that ugly mutt is one miserable excuse for a dog
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 miserable
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Vitello, hired from the University of Tennessee despite no professional playing or coaching experience, and the Giants had a miserable opening series.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Seeing Jane not looking miserable for once — and yes, part of that may be her Trader Joe’s training!
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Or a miserable 48 in the case of the Rangers, still simmering in Philadelphia.
—Kevin Sherrington
mar. 27, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for miserable
Adjective
In that case, misery turned into something less miserable (at least until the start of the playoffs).
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Vitello, hired from the University of Tennessee despite no professional playing or coaching experience, and the Giants had a miserable opening series.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Seeing Jane not looking miserable for once — and yes, part of that may be her Trader Joe’s training!
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Or a miserable 48 in the case of the Rangers, still simmering in Philadelphia.
—Kevin Sherrington
mar. 27, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for miserable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miserable
Adjective
-
But the state education department questioned this week whether the picture is as bleak as Superintendent Andrae Townsel’s administration has described.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Amid the chaos under Yeltsin, a bleak frontier culture took hold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Auriemma was apparently unhappy with the officiating in the game and the disparity in free throw shooting.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the changes, some in the Senate were still unhappy with the final iteration.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This is a terrible blow against reform and the Dems should be ashamed.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Here are five novels that have been tied to terrible crimes.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The state Department of Corrections is in strikingly similar dire straits with dilapidated prisons and a decreasing number of COs.—
Steve Zeidman,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Ross saved the Miami Open, moving it from a dilapidated Key Biscayne venue, and retrofitting Hard Rock Stadium’s grounds for it.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Arsenal were pretty poor but won, Sporting were pretty good but lost.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Ackman blamed its poor share price performance partly on the delay of UMG’s listing in the United States.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The politicians who shut down the government are pathetic on both sides of the aisle.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
-
His Floyd constantly straddles the line between sweet and pathetic, often falling off one side or the other.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This sudden outburst earns her a pauper’s grave, after she’s hauled out of the restaurant and shoved, accidentally or intentionally, down the stairs.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
-
In fact many of the characters—even Big Gunna, one of the great larger-than-life paupers of Laxness’s oeuvre—did live in Mosfellsdalur and went by the names Laxness gives them in the book.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Inside Safe providers acknowledged that motel rooms can be a huge adjustment, leaving people feeling lonely and isolated.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Days can feel long and lonely after one retires.—
Cathy Bussewitz,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Miserable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miserable. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
