Synonyms of sad

sad

adjective

ˈsad 

1

as in unhappy

feeling unhappiness

movies in which the hero dies always make us feel sad

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unhappy
• heartbroken
• depressed
• miserable
• sorry
• bad
• melancholy
• upset
• worried
• sorrowful
• disappointed
• mournful
• uneasy
• hopeless
• saddened
• troubled
• dejected
• gloomy
• heartsick
• doleful
• melancholic
• forlorn
• crestfallen
• depressing
• glum
• disconsolate
• inconsolable
• woebegone
• joyless
• despondent
• downcast
• wretched
• woeful
• brokenhearted
• distressed
• blue
• suicidal
• droopy
• hangdog
• downhearted
• heavyhearted
• discouraged
• down
• low-spirited
• heartsore
• down in the mouth
• tearful
• low
• grieving
• despairing
• aggrieved
• cast down
• somber
• regretful
• bleak
• sunk
• dispirited
• disheartened
• weeping
• morbid
• unquiet
• desolate
• anguished
• lugubrious
• plaintive
• dolorous
• morose
• lachrymose
• rueful
• dark
• cheerless
• dismal
• agonized
• wailing
• sullen
• dreary
• gray
• elegiac
• comfortless
• funereal
• drear
• black
• murky
• darkening
• saturnine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• happy
• glad
• joyous
• joyful
• cheerful
• cheery
• jubilant
• ecstatic
• delighted
• blissful
• gleeful
• upbeat
• sunny
• buoyant
• exuberant
• merry
• euphoric
• excited
• buoyed
• jolly
• optimistic
• hopeful
• jovial
• exultant
• rapturous
• enraptured
• chipper
• mirthful
• rhapsodic
• blithe
• jocular
• overjoyed
• rosy
• elated
• jocose
• gladdened
• sanguine
• exhilarated
• vital
• gladsome
• energetic
• spirited
• smiling
• satisfied
• lively
• jocund
• laughing
• vivacious
• pleased
• encouraged
• content
• thrilled
• entranced
• perky
• blithesome
• animated
• frisky
• lightsome
• sprightly
• peppy
• jaunty
• gratified
• careless
• bouncing
• springy
• unconcerned
• carefree
• lighthearted
• zippy
• grinning
• heartened
• easygoing
• cavalier
• boon
• insouciant
• sprightful
• beaming
• happy-go-lucky
• devil-may-care

2

as in depressing

causing unhappiness

the sad news about our uncle's death made my father cry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• depressing
• pathetic
• heartbreaking
• unfortunate
• mournful
• melancholy
• tearful
• saddening
• disturbing
• sorry
• teary
• dismal
• dreary
• drear
• lamentable
• distressful
• heartrending
• deplorable
• distressing
• woeful
• poignant
• disquieting
• touching
• grievous
• moving
• discouraging
• disheartening
• perturbing
• discomforting
• affecting
• dispiriting
• discomposing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• happy
• glad
• cheery
• inspiring
• pleasant
• heartening
• uplifting
• delightful
• welcome
• stimulating
• stirring
• enjoyable
• cheering
• satisfying
• agreeable
• pleasurable
• pleasing
• heartwarming
• exhilarating
• thrilling

3

as in pathetic

deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)

no one expected the supermodel to be a great actress, but her acting is sad beyond belief

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pathetic
• pitiful
• miserable
• lame
• disgusting
• sorry
• wretched
• pitiable
• despicable
• contemptible
• bad
• shameful
• poor
• disgraceful
• hateful
• deplorable
• notorious
• infamous
• odious
• worthless
• ignominious
• disreputable
• discreditable
• abominable
• shocking
• abhorrent
• detestable
• stinking
• lousy
• unworthy
• dishonorable
• sordid
• scandalous
• beastly
• inferior
• misbegotten
• unsavory
• meritless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• admirable
• decent
• outstanding
• worthy
• excellent
• respectable
• notable
• noteworthy
• noticeable
• commendable
• perfect
• creditable
• meritorious
• laudable
• praiseworthy
• reputable
• noble
• presentable
• honorable
• honest
• redoubtable
• straight
• flawless

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sad

But nothing in life is sadder than a reality television person who doesn’t know when to retire. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2026

Creel’s fellow cast members have been sending a lot of love to Haskins since the sad news of his death broke. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2026

The nerdiness of her team’s approach, and the general scrappiness of the entire department under the leadership of the reedy Noda, gives the movie a sweet but sad spirit of resilience in the face of terrible odds. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026

Sources also said the dispute would have made Parton really sad. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 30 Sep. 2026