miserable
adjective
mis·er·a·ble
ˈmi-zər-bəl,
ˈmiz-rə-,
ˈmi-zə-rə-
1
: being in a pitiable state of distress or unhappiness (as from want or shame)
miserable refugees
2
a
: wretchedly inadequate or meager (see meager sense 2)
a miserable hovel
b
: causing extreme discomfort or unhappiness
a miserable situation
miserable weather
his miserable childhood
3
: being likely to discredit or shame
his miserable neglect of his wife
had a miserable, snide contempt for our country—
Joyce Winslow
Joyce WinslowExamples of miserable in a Sentence
He had a miserable childhood.
My boss is making my life thoroughly miserable with her constant demands and criticism.
He felt lonely and miserable after his divorce.
I've had a miserable cold for the past week.
He lived in a miserable little shack.
Recent Examples on the Web
The day started again, but a second voice joined the miserable monologue, pushing me to plant beets instead of flowers.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 8 June 2025
The win vaulted Miami from sixth to third in MLS standings and felt like a turning point— not just a singular game, but a season statement after a miserable May.
—Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 1 June 2025
The last day of a miserable month of Boston baseball ended with a Red Sox first.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 31 May 2025
The Jets also had a miserable season going 5-12 and firing head coach Robert Saleh after just five games.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for miserable
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Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 8 June 2025
The win vaulted Miami from sixth to third in MLS standings and felt like a turning point— not just a singular game, but a season statement after a miserable May.
—Kaitlyn Pohly, Miami Herald, 1 June 2025
The last day of a miserable month of Boston baseball ended with a Red Sox first.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 31 May 2025
The Jets also had a miserable season going 5-12 and firing head coach Robert Saleh after just five games.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for miserable
Cite this Entry
“Miserable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miserable. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
miserable
adjective
mis·er·a·ble
ˈmiz-ər-bəl
ˈmiz-(ə-)rə-bəl
1
a
: shabby in condition or quality
a miserable place to live
b
: causing great discomfort or unhappiness
a miserable cold
2
: extremely poor or unhappy : wretched
miserableness
noun
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