Unhappiness: meaning, definitions and examples

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unhappiness

 

[ ʌnˈhæpɪnɪs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

feeling

Unhappiness is the state of feeling sad, lonely, or not satisfied with life.

Synonyms

depression, misery, sadness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unhappiness

A general feeling of not being happy or satisfied. It can be used in both personal and broader contexts.

  • Her constant unhappiness at work made her consider changing careers.
  • The team's unhappiness with the decision was evident during the meeting.
sadness

A temporary feeling of sorrow or unhappiness, typically caused by something specific. It is less intense and less prolonged than depression or misery.

  • The movie brought tears of sadness to many in the audience.
  • He felt a deep sadness when his childhood pet passed away.
misery

Intense and prolonged suffering or unhappiness. It often refers to physical or emotional distress that feels unbearable.

  • The refugees lived in misery after losing everything in the conflict.
  • She couldn't bear to see him in such misery after the accident.
depression

A medical condition involving persistent feelings of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of energy. It is more severe than general unhappiness or sadness.

  • He was diagnosed with depression after struggling with constant fatigue and a lack of interest in his favorite activities.
  • Seeking professional help is important if someone is experiencing symptoms of depression.

Examples of usage

  • I could see the unhappiness in her eyes.
  • He was overwhelmed with a sense of unhappiness.
Context #2 | Noun

result

Unhappiness can also refer to the result of not being happy or content.

Synonyms

discontent, dissatisfaction, gloom.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unhappiness

General feeling of not being happy. It can be used in a variety of situations, particularly when someone is feeling down or upset.

  • She experienced profound unhappiness after the breakup
  • Despite his success, he couldn't shake his unhappiness
discontent

A specific feeling of dissatisfaction or lack of contentment, often involving disapproval or displeasure. It is frequently used in contexts where someone is unhappy with a specific situation or condition.

  • There was a general sense of discontent among the employees
  • His discontent with the current government was obvious
dissatisfaction

A feeling of not being satisfied, often relating to unmet expectations or standards. It is commonly used when discussing services, products, or performances.

  • Her dissatisfaction with the meal was clear
  • The customer expressed his dissatisfaction with the company's service
gloom

A deep, pervasive sense of sadness or pessimism, often accompanied by a lack of hope. It is frequently used to describe a more intense and often prolonged state of negativity.

  • The news of the layoffs cast a gloom over the entire office
  • He couldn't escape the gloom that settled over him after the accident

Examples of usage

  • The unhappiness in the workplace led to low productivity.
  • The unhappiness in their relationship eventually led to a breakup.

Translations

Translations of the word "unhappiness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 infelicidade

🇮🇳 असंतोष

🇩🇪 Unglück

🇮🇩 ketidakbahagiaan

🇺🇦 нещастя

🇵🇱 nieszczęście

🇯🇵 不幸 (ふこう)

🇫🇷 malheur

🇪🇸 infelicidad

🇹🇷 mutsuzluk

🇰🇷 불행 (bulhaeng)

🇸🇦 تعاسة

🇨🇿 neštěstí

🇸🇰 nešťastie

🇨🇳 不幸福 (bù xìngfú)

🇸🇮 nesreča

🇮🇸 óhamingja

🇰🇿 бақытсыздық

🇬🇪 უბედურება

🇦🇿 bədbəxtlik

🇲🇽 infelicidad

Etymology

The word 'unhappiness' is a combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and 'happiness', which dates back to the 16th century. The concept of unhappiness has been explored in philosophy, psychology, and literature throughout history, highlighting the importance of emotional well-being.

See also: happily, happiness, happy, unhappily, unhappy.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,572, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.