ˈmi-zər-bəl
1
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
spent the night in a miserable jail cell
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness
the awful news made us miserable
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in terrible
of low quality
a miserable meal that I wouldn't feed to a dog
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4
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
a miserable little apartment
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5
as in poor
deserving of one's pity
miserable refugees from the war-torn country
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6
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
that ugly mutt is one miserable excuse for a dog
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of miserable
Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 19 May 2026
Picking one of the most miserable figures in sports, Megan Rapinoe, to influence exclusive World Cup hospitality ticket sales might not have been the smartest business decision.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
Eidinger brings sorely needed spark to these miserable proceedings; his profile of sociopathic villainy is, unfortunately or not, the most electric aspect of the film.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Not a miserable film, but something about their strengths.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for miserable
Adjective
Order 66 has been executed, and life looks about as miserable as any average day in 2026.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 19 May 2026
Picking one of the most miserable figures in sports, Megan Rapinoe, to influence exclusive World Cup hospitality ticket sales might not have been the smartest business decision.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
Eidinger brings sorely needed spark to these miserable proceedings; his profile of sociopathic villainy is, unfortunately or not, the most electric aspect of the film.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Not a miserable film, but something about their strengths.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for miserable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miserable
Adjective
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While the overall state of the Angels remains bleak – their 18-34 record is the worst in the majors – on this night the fans could enjoy a rare break from the misery.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
23 May 2026
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In a world that often feels increasingly bleak and politically exhausted, there’s comfort in leaning into softness, seduction, and fantasy, and in letting your wardrobe reflect that desire too.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Russian military boggers have a lot to be unhappy about.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
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But affordability concerns have left many Americans unhappy about the economy, which could lead to major political ramifications for the midterm elections.—
Lucy Bayly,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Mayor and Governor are terrible.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
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From scandals, to corny tactics and platforms, to terrible analysis, this gubernatorial race has been a contest to forget.—
Matt Fleming,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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The Urban Institute detailed in 2024 how declining government funding for public spaces had left many dilapidated and underutilized, or privatized and no longer free.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
26 May 2026
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Despite the dilapidated state, the couple fell in love with its ancient olive trees, a creek and a network of aqueducts winding through the fields.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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At this point the Red Sox are in serious danger, and the only reason the club is even within striking distance of a playoff spot is because the rest of the American League has been so poor.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
27 May 2026
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Putumayo is one of Colombia’s poorest and most troubled regions.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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The plan involved discovering a long lost princess, hopping on a plane to London, breaking into a museum store room, and enlisting the help of a very pathetic historian.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
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In our home, DC used a small, pathetic room meant for storage to pursue his hobbies.—
Marni Jameson,
Arkansas Online,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Bournemouth are not a pauper club any more, but the performance this season has still be remarkable.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
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The Titanic is still a subject of worldwide fascination, in part because of the range of passengers aboard the ship, from paupers to plutocrats.—
Jill Lawless,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Ellen Kramer is a lonely film archivist restoring a snuff film that was thought to be destroyed in a fire after WWII.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
Morris is lonely and depressed.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Miserable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miserable. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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