1
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness
movies in which the hero dies always make us feel sad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressing
causing unhappiness
the sad news about our uncle's death made my father cry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
no one expected the supermodel to be a great actress, but her acting is sad beyond belief
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 sad
On days when economic pressure makes the faces of the Iranian people sad, the word ‘unity’ brings a smile to their lips.
—
Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
These Alabama Peach Bombs were extremely delicious, and that was with sad early-June peaches.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 2 June 2026
Being in this soundstage on this massive studio lot that was quite empty, in and of itself, felt a little bit isolating and a little bit sad.
—Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 1 June 2026
This is yet another sad example of anthropomorphizing AI.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sad
Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
These Alabama Peach Bombs were extremely delicious, and that was with sad early-June peaches.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 2 June 2026
Being in this soundstage on this massive studio lot that was quite empty, in and of itself, felt a little bit isolating and a little bit sad.
—Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 1 June 2026
This is yet another sad example of anthropomorphizing AI.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sad
Adjective
-
What’s leaving one unhappy child at home compared to sending five hundred people home from the theatre happy?—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
Shohei Ohtani almost became the most unhappy pitcher to ever be part of throwing a no-hitter.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Almost a year out to sea is very depressing.—
Steve Walsh,
NPR,
23 May 2026
-
Some sendoffs are mundane; others are downright depressing.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
By then, Thomsen says, the public perception had shifted from regarding it as tough and controversial to seeing it as desperate and pathetic.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
-
The plan involved discovering a long lost princess, hopping on a plane to London, breaking into a museum store room, and enlisting the help of a very pathetic historian.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Ali later finds her, a moment that leaves him completely heartbroken, before testing the drugs and confirming they were laced with fentanyl.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
-
Horace leaves Hollywood and a heartbroken but determined Aaron behind.—
Meredith Maran,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
There was no shortage of drama in the final episode either, as another heartbreaking death unfolded while an epic showdown and intense drug raid took place.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Trump has made a pitiful shambles of what should have been a glorious moment.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
-
With his country flailing in their pitiful attempts to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, at the age of 33, Zidane underwent his change of heart.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
One reason Red Sea traffic remains depressed is because ships can bypass it and avoid the security risk altogether by sailing around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
-
As anxiety has mounted about depressed entry-level hiring, with Gen Z crowds even booing luminaries such as Eric Schmidt amid commencement speeches touting AI, Dimon has given warm but blunt advice to ambitious young workers.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s no question that this unfortunate cocktail of corruption, inefficiency, and simple incompetence is holding the country back.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
-
Unfortunately, going cold turkey off a central nervous system depressant like GHB has some pretty unfortunate side-effects.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sad. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
