unhappy
Americanadjective
-
sad; miserable; wretched.
Why is she so unhappy?
- Synonyms:
- distressed, cheerless, downcast, sorrowful
-
unfortunate; unlucky.
an unhappy incident.
- Synonyms:
- hapless
-
unfavorable; inauspicious.
an unhappy omen.
- Synonyms:
- unpropitious
-
infelicitous; unsuitable.
an unhappy choice of words.
- Synonyms:
- inapt, inappropriate
-
Archaic. causing trouble; reprehensible; troublesome.
adjective
-
not joyful; sad or depressed
-
unfortunate or wretched
an unhappy fellow
-
tactless or inappropriate
an unhappy remark
-
archaic unfavourable
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unhappy
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English: “causing misfortune, objectionable”; un- 1 + happy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A report in the Times, external says unhappy players wanted summit talks with Borthwick and Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney in Argentina in July.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
Dillian added that even an investor who think they can take the stress of a bear market, will be unhappy and miserable “the whole time until you get back to the high-water mark.”
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2026
"But he has to accept this reality, rather than simply continuing to feel down or unhappy because of it."
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
The whole country has seemed to be in a sour mood, unhappy with everything, feeling as if the world has gone off its axis and life is out of balance.
From Salon ● Nov. 4, 2026
His mustache becomes a red unhappy cut across his mouth.
From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri
Early in his speech, Burnham remarked that Parliament seemed to be an unhappier place than when he was last an MP.
From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026
A 2010 Brookings Institution paper found people were unhappier on days when gasoline rose above $3.50 and $4.00 a gallon.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026
Not only does this “maximizer” mentality lead to more hoarding, it can also make you unhappier.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 21, 2023
Do you think I would actually be unhappier as a human?
From New York Times ● Feb. 16, 2023
“I made them unhappier than they have been in years, I think,” said Montag.
From "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury
“You are only as happy as your unhappiest child, and me? I have so many.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 26, 2026
At the other end of the scale, countries with the unhappiest populations were Afghanistan and Lebanon across age groups.
From BBC ● Mar. 20, 2024
Afghanistan and Lebanon remain the two unhappiest countries in the rankings for the second year in a row.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 21, 2023
But his time at the top coincided with his unhappiest time personally, and he stepped off.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 3, 2022
She was the unhappiest I had ever seen her.
From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
