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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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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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

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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