Miserably: meaning, definitions and examples

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miserably

 

[ ˈmɪzərəbli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

feeling

In a way that is very unhappy or uncomfortable

Synonyms

poorly, sadly, unhappily.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
miserably

Used when someone feels extremely unhappy or uncomfortable.

  • She failed the exam miserably and felt terrible about it.
  • He miserably trudged through the rain, wishing he was at home.
sadly

Used when expressing sorrow or regret. It has a tone of melancholy or disappointment.

  • Sadly, they had to cancel their trip due to bad weather.
  • He looked at the old photographs sadly, remembering the good times.
unhappily

Used to describe doing something without joy or satisfaction. It often highlights discontent or dissatisfaction.

  • She was unhappily married and thinking about a divorce.
  • He was unhappily working at a job he didn't like.
poorly

Used when describing something done in an inadequate or substandard manner. It can also mean feeling unwell.

  • He performed poorly on the test because he didn't study.
  • She's been feeling poorly all week, so she went to see the doctor.

Examples of usage

  • She failed miserably in her attempt to pass the exam.
  • He looked miserably tired after working all day.
  • The puppy whimpered miserably in the rain.
Context #2 | Adverb

performing

In a way that is very poorly or unsuccessfully

Synonyms

badly, poorly, unsuccessfully.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
miserably

This word is used when emphasizing a very unhappy or uncomfortable situation. It often implies a deep sense of sadness or failure.

  • She failed miserably in her attempt to convince them.
  • They lived miserably in the small, damp apartment.
badly

'Badly' is used to describe something done in a poor manner or with negative results. It is a general term without strong emotional connotations.

  • He performed badly in the exam.
  • The project was managed badly.
poorly

This word is often used in a more formal context to describe something done inadequately or with a low level of quality. It can also refer to a person's health.

  • The report was poorly written.
  • She has been feeling poorly since last week.
unsuccessfully

Used when describing an attempt or effort that did not achieve the desired outcome. This word is often used in a professional or formal context.

  • He tried unsuccessfully to start his own business.
  • They negotiated unsuccessfully for better working conditions.

Examples of usage

  • The team played miserably in the match and lost by a large margin.
  • She sang miserably out of tune during the performance.

Translations

Translations of the word "miserably" in other languages:

🇵🇹 miseravelmente

🇮🇳 दुःखपूर्वक

🇩🇪 elendig

🇮🇩 dengan sengsara

🇺🇦 жалюгідно

🇵🇱 nędznie

🇯🇵 惨めに (みじめに)

🇫🇷 misérablement

🇪🇸 miserablemente

🇹🇷 sefilce

🇰🇷 비참하게

🇸🇦 بائسًا

🇨🇿 bídně

🇸🇰 biedne

🇨🇳 悲惨地 (bēicǎn de)

🇸🇮 bedno

🇮🇸 ömurlega

🇰🇿 қайғылы түрде

🇬🇪 საწყლად

🇦🇿 acınacaqlı şəkildə

🇲🇽 miserablemente

Etymology

The word 'miserably' is derived from the word 'miserable', which originated from the Latin word 'miserabilis', meaning pitiable or wretched. Over time, 'miserably' has come to be associated with feelings of unhappiness, discomfort, or poor performance. It is commonly used in everyday language to express extreme dissatisfaction or failure.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,629, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.