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View synonyms for unhappy

unhappy

[ uhn-hap-ee ]

adjective

, un·hap·pi·er, un·hap·pi·est.
  1. sad; miserable; wretched:

    Why is she so unhappy?

    Synonyms: distressed, cheerless, downcast, sorrowful

  2. unfortunate; unlucky:

    an unhappy incident.

    Synonyms: hapless

  3. unfavorable; inauspicious:

    an unhappy omen.

    Synonyms: unpropitious

  4. infelicitous; unsuitable:

    an unhappy choice of words.

    Synonyms: inapt, inappropriate

  5. Archaic. causing trouble; reprehensible; troublesome.


unhappy

/ ʌnˈhæpɪ /

adjective

  1. not joyful; sad or depressed
  2. unfortunate or wretched

    an unhappy fellow

  3. tactless or inappropriate

    an unhappy remark

  4. archaic.
    unfavourable


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Derived Forms

  • unˈhappily, adverb
  • unˈhappiness, noun

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Other Words From

  • un·happi·ly adverb
  • un·happi·ness noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of unhappy1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English: “causing misfortune, objectionable”; un- 1 + happy

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Example Sentences

When you’re inspired or unhappy at work, it makes getting through the day a lot tougher.

From Quartz

He says if you put human beings in a situation where they have nothing to do, they’ll be intensely unhappy.

From Vox

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Sunday that the Houston Texans’ quarterback is unhappy with the franchise and implied he could push for a trade.

Then people raised concerns about me seeming unhappy at Google.

If they are sufficiently unhappy, actors could move to another studio for future projects, though their options may be limited.

They are mean, unhappy and inspired only by their fatal selfishness.

Jackson had several notable confrontations with cadets who were unhappy with him or who felt he had been unjust.

Finally came the day she told her parents she was too unhappy to return.

Yes, the stock market is booming but overwhelmingly Americans are unhappy with their economic situation—and for good reason.

However, Native Americans unhappy about the white settlers pouring into the Ohio Valley were reportedly waiting to attack him.

The unhappy applicant was naturally obliged to temporarily retire from the game, at all events for that night.

Elizabeth, meanwhile, was filled with alarms respecting her daughter's unhappy infatuation.

But the '34 port was so good that he revoked twice, to the indignation and despair of his unhappy brother and partner.

For a man, I mean,' she added, 'because when a man's unhappy he's more easily tempted to suspicion than a woman is.'

Thereupon the unhappy woman acted; the long suppressed outburst came at last.

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