as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits
with time the young woman got over the unhappiness caused by the breakup
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Recent Examples of unhappiness
As 2025 ends, there’s still a lot of anger about what was revealed in the lawsuit, and some fans may very well carry that unhappiness with them until there are leadership changes at the executive level.
—
Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Early trust-building efforts were hindered by our poor diplomatic handling of AUKUS, the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, and your unhappiness with the Inflation Reduction Act.
—Amanda Sloat, Time, 2 Jan. 2026
Brooks explained that happiness and unhappiness are processed in different hemispheres in the brain and are not the opposite of each other.
—Susan Caminiti, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
Polly lives a double life, trying to mask her daily unhappiness and her loss of self, desperate to be adored by a man who doesn’t want any part of her other life.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
But the actress added that Landon's own personal life was mired in unhappiness — and the desire for more helped inform his work on Little House.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
Patullo said that unhappiness over job performance should never spill into a coach or athlete’s personal life.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Any growling or negative reactions shouldn’t be punished, as the dog is just showing their unhappiness.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
Buckley plays Agnes’s unhappiness at being cooped up very well, and effectively conveys the extraordinary heartbreak over her son.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2025
Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Early trust-building efforts were hindered by our poor diplomatic handling of AUKUS, the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, and your unhappiness with the Inflation Reduction Act.
—Amanda Sloat, Time, 2 Jan. 2026
Brooks explained that happiness and unhappiness are processed in different hemispheres in the brain and are not the opposite of each other.
—Susan Caminiti, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
Polly lives a double life, trying to mask her daily unhappiness and her loss of self, desperate to be adored by a man who doesn’t want any part of her other life.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025
But the actress added that Landon's own personal life was mired in unhappiness — and the desire for more helped inform his work on Little House.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
Patullo said that unhappiness over job performance should never spill into a coach or athlete’s personal life.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Any growling or negative reactions shouldn’t be punished, as the dog is just showing their unhappiness.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
Buckley plays Agnes’s unhappiness at being cooped up very well, and effectively conveys the extraordinary heartbreak over her son.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unhappiness
Noun
-
Across countries, sadness, anger, loneliness and despair are at the highest levels recorded in decades.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The mood in the crowd was widespread anger and sadness — recalling the same outpouring of wrath and grief that shook the city after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in 2020, although without the widespread violent protests then.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And while medications and therapy are important tools, Fabiano says exercise is recognized as a preferred treatment for depression.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The country legend struggled with her mental health and suffered from suicidal depression.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Neither a square nor prime number, 2026 is still intriguing Number enthusiasts may be looking to the new year with a touch of melancholy.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Cookie cravings, a tinge of melancholy, and the urge to hibernate and fix your life all at once.—
Anna Grace Lee,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unhappiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unhappiness. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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