ˈmi-zər-bəl
1
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
spent the night in a miserable jail cell
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2
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness
the awful news made us miserable
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3
as in terrible
of low quality
a miserable meal that I wouldn't feed to a dog
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4
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
a miserable little apartment
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5
as in poor
deserving of one's pity
miserable refugees from the war-torn country
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6
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
that ugly mutt is one miserable excuse for a dog
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of miserable
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025
While his season-finale performance was an excellent sign, his mostly miserable two seasons here have left a lot to be desired.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025
Changes expected under Trump South Korea’s progressive opposition, which has made Yoon’s life miserable from parliament and is increasingly ascendant since the president’s power grab, historically has taken a harder line on Japan.
—Alena Botros, Fortune Asia, 6 Jan. 2025
Here’s a player who never takes his foot off the gas, who can make life miserable for the opposition in front of the net and in the corners, and who fills the net to boot.
—Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for miserable 
Adjective
For all the miserable developments, there are also sparks of hope.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025
While his season-finale performance was an excellent sign, his mostly miserable two seasons here have left a lot to be desired.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025
Changes expected under Trump South Korea’s progressive opposition, which has made Yoon’s life miserable from parliament and is increasingly ascendant since the president’s power grab, historically has taken a harder line on Japan.
—Alena Botros, Fortune Asia, 6 Jan. 2025
Here’s a player who never takes his foot off the gas, who can make life miserable for the opposition in front of the net and in the corners, and who fills the net to boot.
—Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for miserable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for miserable
Adjective
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But beneath Pansy’s rage, often a source of that specific, bleak brand of Mike Leigh comedy, lies severe OCD, anxiety, depression, and the grief of having recently lost her mother.Radhika Seth, Vogue, 7 Jan. 2025
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While the art world has felt bleak amid a buckling market, a new art fair is gracing Los Angeles this year.Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Ratings declined, Lynch was unhappy, and the show was canceled.Victoria Edel, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
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Saquon Barkley is an unstoppable force, the defense is resurgent under Vic Fangio, the chatter about an unhappy A.J. Brown has mostly died down.Dianna Russini, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Two women were now the lead anchors on Today, creating a powerful symbolism just as terrible revelations were surfacing about several men in the industry.Eric Deggans, NPR, 10 Jan. 2025
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The Los Angeles wildfires have been a terrible tragedy.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Farmers, migrant workers, nomadic groups and residents of remote villages encounter snakes in their dilapidated homes, while sleeping on the floor, using outdoor toilets or walking barefoot.Brian Otieno, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
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Since then, the concept has taken off in over 30 municipalities across northern and southern Italy, including the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, as a way to entice buyers to restore dilapidated structures.Megan Michelson, Outside Online, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Everybody connected to the death of this poor guy is dead now.Makena Gera, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
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With sleep disorders affecting approximately 70 million Americans and poor sleep linked to serious health risks like heart disease, stroke and cognitive decline, the Tone Buds represent a significant advancement in personal sleep technology.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In the final, pathetic weeks of his failed presidency, Joe Biden has been casting about desperately for a positive legacy.Jack Butler, National Review, 12 Jan. 2025
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The 10th pick will be your usual pathetic Bear player.Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Noun
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He was made to leave a pauper after years of hard work.Kanak Kapur, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2025
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The age-old philosophy, eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper was adhered to, meaning dinner was the lightest meal, as the digestive tract slows down towards the end of the day.Yasemen Kaner-White, theweek, 25 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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But for now, Bannon is a fairly lonely voice shouting against AI velocity.Axios, Axios, 18 Jan. 2025
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Some suggested ways to make the dog feel less lonely when Lauren isn't home, such as leaving the TV on.John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Miserable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/miserable. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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