SAD Synonyms: 263 Similar and Opposite Words

sad

adjective

ˈsad

Definition of sad

as in unhappy

feeling unhappiness movies in which the hero dies always make us feel sad

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in depressing

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 So my number one wish is that more folks knew that there’s a reality that not all children survive their diagnosis, as sad as that is, and as hard as that is. — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 20 July 2026 With few exceptions, Democrats are embarking on the same sad path. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2026 When England would lose in 1982 and kid Roger would just feel sad, the final whistle ended. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 Goodbye as well to Cam Smith, Matt Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland and, perhaps saddest of all, Jordan Spieth. — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sad

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sad

Adjective

Despite the peace and goodwill following the Hundred Year War, Aang is unhappy and lonesome.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Was this about one of you being really unhappy with the streaming culture of people skipping opening credits?

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 23 July 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

The song arrives alongside a cinematic, albeit somewhat depressing, video directed by Mikai Karl and starring distinctive French character actor Denis Lavant (Beau Travail, Mauvais Sang).

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 15 July 2026
In addition to which, the Moon is lined up with stern Saturn, which can be depressing.

— Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 July 2026

Definition of depressing

Adjective

Never in my lifetime has pathetic nostalgia for the white man’s republic been closer to the center of power.

— Brian DeLay, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
Instagram Plus is social media’s newest low—a company preying on our most pathetic impulses, for the price of a small iced coffee.

— Annie Joy Williams, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

Definition of pathetic

Adjective

The feud shows no signs of ending, and Kate Middleton is reportedly heartbroken over it.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 18 July 2026
In 2017, administrators at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh were heartbroken to learn that hundreds of rare books, art prints and maps worth more than $8 million had been purloined from its rare books room.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Definition of heartbroken

Adjective

Ginn took a no-hitter into the ninth on May 18 at the Los Angeles Angels before walking off the mound with a heartbreaking loss.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Her best friend, Laura (Pernell Walker), is already out, and helps Alike navigate the minefield at home, as Alike explores her identity and ultimately faces a heartbreaking choice.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 17 July 2026

Definition of heartbreaking

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.

— Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
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.

— Hector Vickers, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Definition of pitiful

Adjective

The numbers are consistent with the depressed transit levels recorded over recent days since negotiations fell apart.

— Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Like other OEMs, Samsung has boosted prices on its mid-range and budget offerings, which has depressed sales.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026

Definition of depressed

Adjective

No, this unfortunate moniker represents the lack of attention to and awareness of the disease.

— Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Typically, when rookies put up gaudy numbers in Las Vegas, their stats are accompanied by unfortunate shooting percentages or a bevy of turnovers, but that wasn’t the case for Burries.

— Eric Nehm, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of unfortunate

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sacrosanct

sad

sadden

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Style

“Sad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sad. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sad

adjective

Example Sentences

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