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
To me, being more real makes the funny parts funnier and the sad parts sadder.
—
Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
There are also emotional scenes when Mabel is sad or gets upset.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 4 Mar. 2026
The bullpen trust tree — flourishing in the 2024 postseason — was about as sturdy as Charlie Brown’s sad little Christmas pine.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Death Cafe event in Encinitas Talking about death doesn’t have to be scary, morbid or sad.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sad
Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
There are also emotional scenes when Mabel is sad or gets upset.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 4 Mar. 2026
The bullpen trust tree — flourishing in the 2024 postseason — was about as sturdy as Charlie Brown’s sad little Christmas pine.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Death Cafe event in Encinitas Talking about death doesn’t have to be scary, morbid or sad.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sad
Adjective
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MacFarlane is also said to have faced personal threats from MAGA supporters unhappy with his coverage of the Justice Department.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Earlier this season, Marchment struggled mightily — and seemed plenty unhappy — with the Seattle Kraken, but his trade to the Blue Jackets in late December revitalized his season.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The aggression with which both parties have worked to manipulate district lines—while loudly inveighing against the other party for doing the exact same thing—is cynical and depressing.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
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The case exposed the depressing banality of it all—the man smiling politely at you at the bakery, only to rape your comatose body at night.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Of course, the notes turn out to mostly be about her as well as the principal (played by Gosling), detailing their most pathetic behaviors.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
8 Mar. 2026
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The pathetic leaks didn’t work.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Also up for sale is a 13-page affidavit filed by Paul McCartney in December 1970 to break up The Beatles, leaving fans heartbroken.—
Adam Reiss,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
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An 83-year-old Air Force veteran pushed onto the subway tracks by a stranger at an Upper East Side station in a random act of violence is unlikely to survive, his heartbroken daughter told the Daily News Tuesday.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The veteran was exceptional, even heartbreaking, as a clueless dad and aging filmmaker seeking to hire his estranged daughter for the role of his, and maybe hers, lifetime.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
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Jessie Buckley, a runaway choice for best actress, helps put an audience through the wringer with her heartbreaking portrayal as Shakespeare's wife dealing with the tragic death of their son.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Gallup reached only 50,000 people, a pitiful fraction of The Literary Digest’s awe-inspiring mailbag.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
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Mercy came via a bye week, the pitiful Raiders and an inept Cowboys defense.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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El Teniente's general manager, Claudio Sougarret, recently said production will be depressed for the next five years as a result of the accident.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
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Minnelli writes that Garland would remain in bed for days, depressed and heavily drugged.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Celta’s experienced striker Borja Iglesias equalized for the home side with his third goal in four games after 25 minutes, and strike partner Iago Aspas was unfortunate to see his shot come back off the post with two minutes remaining as both sides pushed for a winner.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
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This time round, though, an unfortunate silliness sometimes creeps in, where the film risks tipping over Shakespearean-size emotions into embarrassing bathos.—
Miriam Balanescu,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sad. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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