unhappy

[uhn-hap-ee]

adjective

unhappier, unhappiest 

1. sad; miserable; wretched.

   Why is she so unhappy?

   Synonyms: distressed, cheerless, downcast, sorrowful

2. unfortunate; unlucky.

   an unhappy incident.

   Synonyms: hapless

3. unfavorable; inauspicious.

   an unhappy omen.

   Synonyms: unpropitious

4. infelicitous; unsuitable.

   an unhappy choice of words.

   Synonyms: inapt, inappropriate

5. Archaic.,  causing trouble; reprehensible; troublesome.

unhappy

/ ʌnˈhæpɪ /

adjective

1. not joyful; sad or depressed

2. unfortunate or wretched

   an unhappy fellow

3. tactless or inappropriate

   an unhappy remark

4. archaic,  unfavourable

Other Word Forms

• unhappily adverb
• unhappiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unhappy¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English: “causing misfortune, objectionable”; un- ¹ + happy

Example Sentences

"But lots of people we spoke to knocking on doors were so unhappy, so we felt it needed to get sorted."

Read more on BBC

Louisiana’s governor said Wednesday he was involved in the discussions that led to Kelly’s ouster but made clear that he was unhappy with the finances of the situation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For instance, the stock market is roaring at the same time that a majority of Americans are unhappy about the economy and are worried about job security and inflation, she said.

Read more on MarketWatch

While Mr. Adjaye quotes freely from the work of Pei and Kahn, one has the unhappy sense that something essential is missing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"I'm very unhappy about the situation developing, for the stress that it will have caused everyone," said Langbroek.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• depressed 
• despondent 
• miserable 
• not happy www.thesaurus.com
• sorry