miserable

[miz-er-uh-buhl, miz-ruh-]

adjective

1. wretchedly unhappy, uneasy, or uncomfortable.

   miserable victims of war.

   Synonyms: distressed, doleful, disconsolate, forlorn
   Antonyms: happy

2. wretchedly poor; needy.

   Synonyms: destitute
   Antonyms: wealthy

3. of wretched character or quality; contemptible.

   a miserable villain.

   Synonyms: abject, low, mean, despicable
   Antonyms: good

4. attended with or causing misery.

   a miserable existence.

5. manifesting misery.

6. worthy of pity; deplorable.

   a miserable failure.

   Synonyms: lamentable, pitiable

miserable

/ ˈmɪzrə-, ˈmɪzərəbəl /

adjective

1. unhappy or depressed; wretched

2. causing misery, discomfort, etc

   a miserable life

3. contemptible

   a miserable villain

4. sordid or squalid

   miserable living conditions

5. mean; stingy

6. (pejorative intensifier)

   you miserable wretch

Other Word Forms

• miserableness noun
• miserably adverb
• quasi-miserable adjective
• quasi-miserably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of miserable¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin miserābilis, equivalent to miserā(rī) “to pity” (derivative of miser “wretched”) + -bilis -ble

Word History and Origins

Origin of miserable¹

C16: from Old French, from Latin miserābilis worthy of pity, from miserārī to pity, from miser wretched

Synonym Study

See wretched.

Example Sentences

The fans who were left booed their team off after a truly miserable 2-0 defeat that could easily have been 5-0.

Read more on BBC

The little blue book now ranks a miserable 12th, on par with the likes of Malaysia, according to a new report by Henley & Partners, a company that advises people on moving abroad.

Read more on MarketWatch

“The idea is to make him miserable enough to go away,” a senior administration official said, conceding it could take time.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Celtic's miserable afternoon was foreshadowed before a ball had been kicked in anger when sections of their sizeable travelling support halted play immediately by throwing bouncy balls and tennis balls on to the pitch.

Read more on BBC

Our little blue book now ranks a miserable 12th, right down there with Malaysia, according to a new report by Henley & Partners, a company that advises people on moving abroad.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• bad 
• meager 
• pathetic 
• poor 
• sad 
• shameful 
• sorry 
• tragic 
• wretched