1
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness
movies in which the hero dies always make us feel sad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressing
causing unhappiness
the sad news about our uncle's death made my father cry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 sad
The couple’s daughter, Kyle Avery, confirmed the sad news with a post on Facebook.
—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2026
There were lots of other questions — about whether SunRail should be expanded, what role the county should play in supporting arts and culture and if the candidates have any plans for improving this region’s sad-sack mental health options.
—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
And while tears flow, most students and staff do not describe the trip as sad upon returning.
—
Jessica Tzikas,
Sun Sentinel,
18 June 2026
Maddie has a relationship with food that’s at times beautiful, but often quite sad.
—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sad
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2026
There were lots of other questions — about whether SunRail should be expanded, what role the county should play in supporting arts and culture and if the candidates have any plans for improving this region’s sad-sack mental health options.
—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
And while tears flow, most students and staff do not describe the trip as sad upon returning.
—
Jessica Tzikas,
Sun Sentinel,
18 June 2026
Maddie has a relationship with food that’s at times beautiful, but often quite sad.
—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sad
Adjective
-
Isdin Melatonik If traditional retinoids have left your sensitive skin unhappy, Isdin's Melatonik Recovery Night Serum offers a gentler approach with bakuchiol.
-
Brown and the Celtics have both since denied speculation that the 29-year-old second-team All-NBA selection was unhappy with his role in Boston.
Adjective
-
What a depressing, disturbing waste, no matter the final verdict.
-
After watching and enjoying the film, a somewhat depressing thought leaped into my mind.
Adjective
-
After these first three majors — and after a pathetic showing this week at Shinnecock — there's no reason to bet against it.
-
The Right Now’s Diana Levy — the executive producer of the stunt — asked reporters to spread out in a way that would make the turnout appear as sparse (and therefore pathetic) as possible.
Adjective
-
The courtroom was packed with heartbroken supporters wanting justice for Jor'Dynn as each woman stood silent in front of the judge.
-
There is nothing more evocative of a pure Love Island experience than a heartbroken rage split in costume.
Adjective
-
Los Canaleros came close in their first group match of this year’s edition, though, conceding a heartbreaking goal in the final seconds against Ghana to lose 1-0.
-
On Monday, June 22, the podcast host and widow of The Wanted's Tom Parker, 36, appeared on the British morning show This Morning and shared heartbreaking details about giving birth in June 2025 to her son Phoenix, who was stillborn, with her partner Will Lindsay.
Adjective
-
Completing the hat trick in pitiful style, Taking on the World was shot on a shoestring budget, helmed by the man behind Highlander III, and forced to rely on stock footage of real-life footballers.
-
Given the national team’s pitiful demise at the Oval, with New Zealand completing victory on the fifth morning, Ben Stokes’ revival in absentia feels like the only consolation from a miserable week.
Adjective
-
New-home construction tumbled, then stayed depressed for over a decade.
-
These figures mark a clear increase from depressed crossing rates seen during much of the Iran war since its start in late February.
Adjective
-
The injury was an unfortunate occurrence in his World Cup debut and could affect Sweden’s chances going forward.
-
The mini-slump in Eugene coincides with the aforementioned downturn in Spokane to create an unfortunate stretch for college basketball in the Pacific Northwest.
Cite this Entry
“Sad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sad. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
