UNHAPPY Synonyms: 321 Similar and Opposite Words

unhappy

adjective

ˌən-ˈha-pē

Definition of unhappy

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unhappy His efforts to loosen dependence on America have earned his government sky-high approval ratings even as many Western governments face populations deeply unhappy with their rule. — Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 And even many of the anti-Netanyahu voters would be unhappy about partnering with the Arab parties to replace the current government. — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026 To be a wife in this world is to be unhappy with your sacrifices yet unable or unwilling to choose otherwise forM yourself. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 Tim Boyd San Juan Capistrano I’m sure there are Dodgers fans unhappy about losing to the Brewers. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unhappy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unhappy

Adjective

State Drive, an ugly black roadway, separates the Science Center and its new addition from the park’s Rose Garden, and serves as a sad connector to the rest of the park.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
As more details came out, the sad truth of Perry’s relapses and drug hustle emerged.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

For many people, however, the presentation instead bears an uncanny and unfortunate resemblance to imagery used in Nazi-era Germany.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The Giannis Antetokounmpo era is off to an unfortunate start, as the Heat is 0-2 to start a season for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfortunate

Adjective

At one unsuitable Gramercy apartment, Taylor encountered Cam Armand, a salesperson on the Kota team at Compass, and the Folwells enlisted his help.

— Joyce Cohen, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
In a setting designed to make exceptional yachts desirable, explaining why a particular vessel is unsuitable requires commercial discipline.

— Christoph Lymbersky, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsuitable

Adjective

Celebrated as masterpieces today, at the time they were regarded as the unpolished works of a depressed, crazy man and commercially worthless.

— Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
In the event of a severe winter or import bottlenecks, depressed storage levels not only narrow Europe's capacity to absorb supply shocks but also risk driving natural gas prices higher.

— , CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of depressed

Adjective

Prolonged pump stoppages could lead to a disastrous local scenario of ruptured water supply, district heating, and sewage pipes, even if electricity remains available elsewhere in the country.

— Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
Yet, the Royals are sitting at home after a disastrous 69-93 campaign.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of disastrous

Adjective

Her colleagues voted twice last year to censure her for inappropriate criticism of city employees.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Specifically, Pickard said his understanding of the immunity deal is that his testimony about adultery and an inappropriate relationship cannot be used against him as part of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

— Matt Schooley, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of inappropriate

Adjective

Happy peasants, miserable millionaires Graham first spotted the pattern in China.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
That and the two uniquely miserable Atlanta seasons under Morris’ guidance would normally be enough to gin up some bad feelings among the masses.

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of miserable

Browse Nearby Words

unhappiness

unhappy

unharmed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unhappy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unhappy. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unhappy

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

reticent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes