miserable
12 synonyms and 4 antonyms for miserable, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Extremely unhappy, especially over a period of time.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use miserable
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
feel miserable
miserable weather
a miserable failure
Etymology
From Latin miserabilis, based on miser ("wretched").
Full origin of miserable →Frequently asked questions
What does “miserable” mean?
The word “miserable” means extremely unhappy, especially over a period of time. In plain terms, very unhappy, or (of weather/conditions) very unpleasant.
How do you pronounce “miserable”?
“Miserable” is pronounced MIHZ-ruh-buhl (/ˈmɪz(ə)ɹəbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “miserable” in a sentence?
Here is “miserable” used in a sentence: “He felt miserable for weeks after losing his job.”
What part of speech is “miserable”?
“Miserable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “miserable” come from?
The word “miserable” comes from Latin. From Latin miserabilis, based on miser ("wretched").
Is “miserable” a common word?
“Miserable” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “miserable” have?
“Miserable” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely unhappy, especially over a period of time.
What is the difference between miserable and sad?
Sad covers any degree of unhappiness and can describe a passing mood, while miserable means extremely unhappy, often over a period of time. Missing a bus might make you sad for a moment; a month of illness in a cold apartment could make you genuinely miserable.
