sad

adjective

ˈsad How to pronounce sad (audio)
Definition of sadnext
1
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness movies in which the hero dies always make us feel sad

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressing
causing unhappiness the sad news about our uncle's death made my father cry

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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

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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 Friday night, Hunter Biden offered a sad update on the health of his father, former president Joe Biden. — Jim Geraghty, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2026 Next, the dogs were once again shown images of happy and neutral faces, but along with those they were also shown angry, frightened, and sad ones. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 As a result, attorneys sad Belgio suffered a massive heart attack that caused an anoxic brain injury, according to the lawsuit. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 What a sad, heartbreaking end to a life that had been devoted to being a helper. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sad
  1. unhappy
  2. depressing
  3. pathetic
  4. heartbroken
  5. heartbreaking
  6. pitiful
  7. depressed
  8. unfortunate
Adjective
  • Some Democratic board members noted that voters unhappy with Lukas’ performance can express their dissatisfaction in the 2028 election.
    — Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • When the motorcycle crew was unhappy with the drugs, Hinman and Beausoleil got into a confrontation.
    — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • The simple, rather depressing, and completely overwhelming fact of the matter is that the Marvel Cinematic Universe cannot be ignored, even as superhero fatigue has definitively set in at the global box office.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • The glow through the translucent stone façade prevents that journey from being downright depressing.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026
Definition of depressing
Adjective
  • There was no pathetic pleading with the audience to come closer.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
  • North Texas Howard WKU Northwestern Rutgers Nebraska That's a pathetic first six weeks.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of pathetic
Adjective
  • Neighbors of the family told WABC they are heartbroken over the tragedy.
    — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Followers were heartbroken that their idol had, potentially, signed away his creation.
    — Kyle MacNeill, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of heartbroken
Adjective
  • Throughout the third season, viewers witness Jackie and Cole navigate not only their evolving relationship and heartbreaking breakup but also their struggles with their pasts and their journey to rediscover their true selves.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026
  • What followed was a global outpouring of grief, conspiracy theories surrounding her death, and the heartbreaking image of her sons, William, then 15, and Harry, 12, following their mother’s casket through London.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 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
  • By mid-December, Clancy was feeling very depressed, Tufts said.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • While there is plenty of food, everyone looks pretty depressed.
    — William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of depressed
Adjective
  • But Michael Pentecost, a Royse City resident who was not at the swimming pool, called the situation unfortunate.
    — Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • This unfortunate incident significantly complicates FC Barcelona's squad planning.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfortunate

Browse Nearby Words

sacrosanct
sad
sadden
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Cite this Entry

“Sad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sad. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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