Miserable: meaning, definitions and examples

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miserable

[ˈmɪzərəbl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

Feeling extremely unhappy or uncomfortable; wretched.

Synonyms

dejected, sad, unhappy, wretched.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
miserable	Used to describe extreme unhappiness or discomfort, whether emotional or physical. She felt miserable after losing her job. The weather was so bad that everyone was miserable.
unhappy	A broad term for feeling discomfort or dissatisfaction, often used in both casual and formal settings. He was unhappy with the service at the restaurant. She's unhappy because of her poor test results.
sad	A general term to describe feeling sorrowful or unhappy; less intense than 'miserable'. She looked sad when she said goodbye. He felt sad after watching the film.
wretched	Connotes a severe degree of unhappiness or misfortune, often accompanied by a sense of being pitiful. He led a wretched life after the accident. She felt wretched with guilt.
dejected	Implies a state of low spirits due to disappointment or failure. He was dejected after hearing the bad news. She felt dejected when her proposal was rejected.

Examples of usage

I was miserable because I missed my family.
She felt miserable after hearing the bad news.
The thought of spending another day in this job made her miserable.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

condition

Of a person, wretchedly unhappy or uncomfortable.

Synonyms

dejected, forlorn, mournful, wretched.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
miserable	Use this word to describe someone who feels very unhappy or uncomfortable. It can apply to both emotional and physical discomfort. She felt miserable after failing her exam. The rainy weather made everyone feel miserable.
wretched	Wretched describes a state of great unhappiness and misery, often highlighting extreme distress or misfortune. It has a negative connotation. She felt wretched after the argument with her best friend. The refugees arrived in wretched conditions.
dejected	This word is appropriate when someone feels sad and disheartened, often because of a setback or disappointment. He was dejected after his team lost the match. She looked dejected when she heard the bad news.
forlorn	Use this word to describe a sense of loneliness and abandonment, often with a focus on being alone or deserted. The dog looked forlorn after being left outside in the rain. She felt forlorn when all her friends moved away.
mournful	This word is used to express deep sorrow or grief, often related to loss or mourning. He gave a mournful sigh upon hearing the tragic news. The mournful melody of the violin filled the room.

Examples of usage

She looked miserable in her old, tattered clothes.
He appeared miserable in his lonely apartment.
The stray dog looked miserable in the rain.

^{Context #3 | Adjective}

quality

Causing unhappiness or discomfort.

Synonyms

discomforting, dreary, gloomy, unpleasant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
miserable	Used to describe a state of severe unhappiness or discomfort, often over an extended period. It can relate to emotional, physical, or situational experiences. After losing his job, he felt miserable for months The weather was miserable, with constant rain and cold winds
unpleasant	Used to describe something that is not enjoyable or agreeable, causing discomfort or minor pain, and has a generally negative connotation. The taste of the medicine was unpleasant She had an unpleasant experience at the restaurant due to poor service
discomforting	Used to describe something that causes a mild to moderate level of discomfort or unease, often temporary or situational. The news was discomforting, leaving everyone at the meeting feeling uneasy The tight shoes were discomforting after a few hours of walking
gloomy	Used to describe a somber, dark, or depressing atmosphere, often involving poor lighting or a pessimistic mood. The old house had a gloomy atmosphere, with dark corners and cobwebs He had a gloomy outlook on the future after the recent setback
dreary	Used to describe something that is dull, bleak, and lifeless, often referring to weather, places, or situations. The landscape was dreary, with no sign of life or color It was a dreary Monday morning, with heavy clouds and rain

Examples of usage

The miserable weather ruined our plans for a picnic.
The cramped, dirty room was a miserable place to stay.
His miserable attitude made everyone around him feel down.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'miserabilis', meaning 'wretched' or 'worthy of pity'.
In the Middle Ages, the term was used to describe a person in deep sadness due to bad fortune.
The term evolved through Old French before entering English in the late 14th century.

Literature

Many authors use the concept of misery to reflect a character's internal struggles, such as in Dickens's 'A Tale of Two Cities'.
Shakespeare often portrays misery in his tragedies, illuminating the depths of human emotion.
The word is prevalent in poetry, signifying emotional suffering and despair in works from the Romantic era.

Psychology

Experiencing prolonged feelings of misery can lead to conditions like depression, highlighting the importance of mental health support.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy often addresses thoughts that lead to feelings of misery and teaches strategies to shift these mindsets.
The interplay between one’s environment and misery emphasizes that social support can mitigate feelings of unhappiness.

Pop Culture

The term is often used in popular songs and films, especially in ballads that address heartbreak and emotional pain.
Comic characters, particularly in dark humor genres, may exclaim how 'miserable' they feel in a lighthearted manner.
Television shows featuring characters in unfortunate situations often use 'miserable' to describe their comedic plight.

Science

Research shows that chronic happiness is linked to better physical health, contrasting sharply with the effects of a miserable mindset.
Studies indicate that social isolation can contribute significantly to feelings of misery and can impact overall well-being.
Neurological studies find that experiencing sorrow or misery activates specific areas of the brain related to processing negative emotions.

Translations

Translations of the word "miserable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 miserável

🇮🇳 दुखी

🇩🇪 elend

🇮🇩 sengsara

🇺🇦 нещасний

🇵🇱 nieszczęśliwy

🇯🇵 みじめな

🇫🇷 misérable

🇪🇸 miserable

🇹🇷 sefil

🇰🇷 비참한

🇸🇦 بائس

🇨🇿 bídný

🇸🇰 úbohý

🇨🇳 悲惨的

🇸🇮 beden

🇮🇸 vesæll

🇰🇿 қайғылы

🇬🇪 უბედური

🇦🇿 bərbad

🇲🇽 miserable

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,965 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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