1
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness
movies in which the hero dies always make us feel sad
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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
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Recent Examples of sad
The campaign motto, Her Şey Çok Güzel Olacak (Everything will be fine) now sounded sad.
—
Kaya Genç, The Dial, 9 June 2026
Abigail Cowen gets off to a rough start as Percy’s almost cartoonishly catty ex-friend, but eventually matures into a real bright spot as Delilah’s marital troubles get a funny-sad subplot of their own.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026
The sad news of their split comes on the heels of recent breakup rumors.
—Tessa Petak, InStyle, 8 June 2026
Previously, maybe those have been sad tears.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sad
Kaya Genç, The Dial, 9 June 2026
Abigail Cowen gets off to a rough start as Percy’s almost cartoonishly catty ex-friend, but eventually matures into a real bright spot as Delilah’s marital troubles get a funny-sad subplot of their own.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026
The sad news of their split comes on the heels of recent breakup rumors.
—Tessa Petak, InStyle, 8 June 2026
Previously, maybe those have been sad tears.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sad
Adjective
-
The European Commission froze billions of euros in funds for Hungary in response to democratic backsliding led by Orbán, and concern lingers about the damage that can be done when one unhappy government insists on wielding its veto.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
-
Social media is making children unhappy and is designed to be addictive, Starmer said at a press conference.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
When Aston Villa supporters reflect on the growing stature of their club, many like to compare the euphoria with the dark and depressing times of the recent past.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Following that news, the Fighting Irish decided to decline their bowl game invitation, ending a depressing finish to what had been a great all-around season.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Sports make people a little pathetic.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Williams didn't portray Peter Banning as pathetic.—
Cynthia Pelayo,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Utterly heartbroken after the breakup, Percy sleeps with his older brother, Charlie Florek (Michael Bradway).—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
As word spread of Riley's death, his heartbroken family led the public tributes.—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
But then Henri Camara with those two incredible goals against Sweden in the round of 16, and that quarter-final against Turkey, the heartbreaking extra-time goal.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
The prayers, messages, flowers, meals, hugs, and countless acts of kindness have carried us through the most heartbreaking days of our lives.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
The standard height for an off-the-shelf front door is six feet and eight inches — pitiful, really.—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
19 Nov. 2025
-
Sheridan seemed more interested in devoting his time and energy to his several other series, including Landman, which aired its first season concurrently with that pitiful final stretch.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
16 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Not because Wyck is a Root repeat, but because the actor has spent four decades playing men who are overlooked, discarded, and possibly clinically depressed.—
Stephen Rodrick,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2026
-
Epstein seemed to feel increasingly depressed about the conditions of his incarceration.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
The unfortunate reality is that credit card rates rise quickly but fall slowly.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
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That’s especially unfortunate when the prior episode ended on a cliffhanger with a gang of armed and angry townspeople arriving at the Black Spot for Hank.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sad. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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