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
Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 9 June 2025
The Democratic Party Democrats have had a miserable start to 2025, but the Musk-Trump feud is undoubtedly good news for the time being.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 6 June 2025
It’s been a miserable month for Trevor Story, but Sunday was the latest sign that the shortstop’s long-dormant bat may be coming to life.
—Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
The day started again, but a second voice joined the miserable monologue, pushing me to plant beets instead of flowers.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for miserable
Adjective
After all, being mired in uncertainty about important questions can be miserable.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 9 June 2025
The Democratic Party Democrats have had a miserable start to 2025, but the Musk-Trump feud is undoubtedly good news for the time being.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 6 June 2025
It’s been a miserable month for Trevor Story, but Sunday was the latest sign that the shortstop’s long-dormant bat may be coming to life.
—Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
The day started again, but a second voice joined the miserable monologue, pushing me to plant beets instead of flowers.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for miserable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miserable
Adjective
-
During that bleak era, Che-Chung Tsai, a researcher at the University of Washington, contacted several companies, seeking experimental drugs for use in an animal study.—
Jon Cohen,
New Yorker,
24 June 2025
-
That said, Google’s latest survey paints a bleak picture.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
The root of the fallout was the Who (and specifically Daltrey) being unhappy with Starkey’s performance when the band played a pair of Teenage Cancer Trust charity shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall in March.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2025
-
On Friday, Devers alluded to being unhappy with how the Red Sox treated him.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
Rarely great, and consistently cringey in that NHL way we’re used to by now, but rarely terrible.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
-
Even the ones that aren’t strictly evil in the biblical sense are often prone to doing terrible things.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Elsewhere, though, anxiety permeates the dilapidated bars, karaoke clubs, and music halls into which Jia pokes his camera.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
2 May 2025
-
In Los Angeles, $500,000 gets you a dilapidated hut in the hood with a permanent police siren soundtrack.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
Due to poor cell reception in the area, 911 calls kept dropping as witnesses scrambled to reach first responders.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2025
-
In past decades, this stage was easy to spot: clashing colors, poor makeup attempts, and wardrobes inspired by favorite TV stars.—
Dia Gallo,
Parents,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
So why did a chess engine that came under the pathetic category and only looks one move ahead not just defeat but humiliate ChatGPT?—
David Szondy
June 15,
New Atlas,
15 June 2025
-
Not because ownership has had a change of heart, but rather as a way to address their pathetic offense.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Alvarez is the pauper of the group, with Judge and Soto combining for $1.125 billion in salary over the lives of their contracts.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
-
Chelsea are hardly paupers domestically — no Premier League team is nowadays — but there’s a clear financial advantage in finishing higher up the table.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
On social media, there’s a certain kind of influencer who specializes in attracting lonely, unhappy people by brandishing mantras and principles that will allegedly lead them to more fulfilled and successful lives.—
Jia Tolentino,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
-
Over in her Hawaiian home land, 19-year-old Nani (Tia Carrere) has been trying her best to fend for herself and her lonely little sister Lilo (beautifully voiced by young Daveigh Chase) in the absence of their parents.—
Michael Rechtshaffen,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Miserable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miserable. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share