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
as in melancholy
a state or spell of low spirits
she was filled with sadness at the thought of having to leave her family
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
a sad truth
sad news
sad eyes
a sad song
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of sad
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2025
The sad reality is that adult dogs like Willow often struggle to get adopted compared to puppies.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
Not a coming-of-age sound, but a mid-20s sad guitar, synth and a loss.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The sad reality is that Lucky really hasn't had all that much luck in his life to date.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sad
Adjective
In this case, sad is used as a lighthearted term for a cake that rises, but then gradually falls or settles after baking, resulting in a dense confection.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2025
The sad reality is that adult dogs like Willow often struggle to get adopted compared to puppies.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
Not a coming-of-age sound, but a mid-20s sad guitar, synth and a loss.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The sad reality is that Lucky really hasn't had all that much luck in his life to date.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sad
Adjective
-
As with almost any change, some residents were unhappy, mostly about being told to slow down.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
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President Donald Trump was unhappy with July’s U.S. jobs report, which showed hiring slowing (with 73,000 jobs added, compared to 100,000 predicted) and revised past months’ numbers.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Gambling today, however, is a sad and depressing experience, nothing like my dad’s and my Atlantic City adventure.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Aug. 2025
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And yet, somehow, the most depressing show on TV—with the exception of any news broadcast, at least—is a reality soap about bougie couples in the suburbs of Los Angeles.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
What’s more pathetic than those who keep selling that myth?—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Kamala has lied for years about their pathetic job growth, which has never been real.—
Meg Kinnard,
Fortune,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Lacy’s new music maintains his sly sense of humor, but with a barefaced melancholy that pushes it to new emotional depths.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
14 Aug. 2025
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More often than not, the film’s nostalgia is sweet and enjoyable because it is paired with the melancholy that comes from all the acknowledgments of the actors from the original who died over the last 29 years.—
Jesse David Fox,
Vulture,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
While the feline escaped unscathed, Lex admitted the incident left her heartbroken.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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That’s not to say Moore wasn’t heartbroken or incredibly stressed out during the wildfires.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The heartbreaking footage of the deadly shooting at Robb Elementary School was released on Tuesday, Aug. 12, as part of the final records of the incident, which were previously withheld by local authorities.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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This is heartbreaking news for Sanders, who put together an impressive NFL debut during Week 1 of preseason.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This negative sentiment was also felt on both sides of the Atlantic, given their pitiful plummet in popularity.—
Brie Stimson , Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
25 July 2025
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For their part, France produced a pitiful display of football, which deserved nothing less than elimination.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
20 July 2025
Noun
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Forecasters said in an Aug. 18 advisory that environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form during the latter part of this week.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
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The hurricane center has already identified a tropical wave behind Erin that has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next seven days.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sad. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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