1
as in sad
feeling unhappiness
he's been unhappy ever since his family's move, which took him away from all his friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unfortunate
having, prone to, or marked by bad luck
she's trying to forget that whole unhappy attempt to start a business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unsuitable
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
a guest unintentionally made unhappy reference to what is a painful situation for the family
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unhappy
Only after those have tapered off, Palmer said, do unhappy married couples finally act — usually before the new school year begins.
—
Vanessa Romo, NPR, 5 June 2025
Certainly, the worst response would be faux reforms that do not address the very real concerns of the many across the political spectrum who are unhappy with higher education.
—Jeffrey Herbst, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Top Trump administration officials are unhappy with arrest and deportation numbers and have lambasted the federal immigration officials responsible for the operation, the Washington Examiner learned.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
Klay Thompson, unrestricted and unhappy with his situation, left the Warriors last summer on his own volition.
—Anthony Slater, New York Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unhappy
Vanessa Romo, NPR, 5 June 2025
Certainly, the worst response would be faux reforms that do not address the very real concerns of the many across the political spectrum who are unhappy with higher education.
—Jeffrey Herbst, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Top Trump administration officials are unhappy with arrest and deportation numbers and have lambasted the federal immigration officials responsible for the operation, the Washington Examiner learned.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
Klay Thompson, unrestricted and unhappy with his situation, left the Warriors last summer on his own volition.
—Anthony Slater, New York Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unhappy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unhappy
Adjective
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To some, this may sound bizarre, laughable, or even just plain sad.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 June 2025
-
Banks: There’s a reason why the theater [symbol] is a happy face/sad face.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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An unfortunate series of events in the eighth inning led to the Brewers going up 3-1.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2025
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The polished old pro bent time and space, keeping the unfortunate new work to a minimum and running through his hits, reliving, nearly chronologically, the thrill of experiencing his catalog all over again at a speed run.—
Abe Beame,
Rolling Stone,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Any useless, toxic or otherwise unsuitable man can become a child’s legal father, without being subject to the thorough checks that these women must face.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
23 May 2025
-
Advertisement Advertisement Some insects are adapting to changing climates by moving to regions that might have previously been unsuitable.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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What would Georgia wear in her most depressed state?—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
16 June 2025
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That can put them on edge and heighten their separation anxiety, Langan said, and if their owners are depressed or grief-stricken about loss and uncertainty, the animals absorb those emotions too.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Seeing the unfavorable replies, the mother chimed in.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
14 June 2025
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Across more than a dozen surveys conducted between late January and mid-May 2025, unfavorable ratings consistently outstrip favorable ones—often by double-digit margins.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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What if the user is in an inappropriate environment?—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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The constable’s office was notified of the inappropriate request June 10 when the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force came into contact with Slusher’s request, officials said in a news release.—
Kate Linderman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The day started again, but a second voice joined the miserable monologue, pushing me to plant beets instead of flowers.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
8 June 2025
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The win vaulted Miami from sixth to third in MLS standings and felt like a turning point— not just a singular game, but a season statement after a miserable May.—
Kaitlyn Pohly,
Miami Herald,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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Though Rivera was strong on balance beam and floor, posting the highest mark on beam and the third-best on floor, a disastrous bar routine took the Olympian out of the gold medal race.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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Following a disastrous May 6 outing in which Pressly surrendered nine runs, eight earned, without recording an out in the 11th inning against the San Francisco Giants, manager Craig Counsell pulled Pressly from the closer’s role.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unhappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unhappy. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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