looks miserable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks miserable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that appears to be very unhappy or in a state of distress. Example: "After hearing the bad news, she looks miserable and can't seem to shake off her sadness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

She looks miserable.

The New York Times - Sports

Kate Winslet looks miserable.

The Guardian - Film

Everyone looks miserable, ground down.

The New York Times

87 min: Poor old Strachan looks miserable as sin.

The Guardian - Sport

He looks miserable: his beautiful face is drawn and wan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The only difference is that now she looks miserable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The television was on, showing some strange-looking boy with a big, fat head looking miserable.

HuffPost

He looked miserable.

The Guardian - Sport

She looked miserable.

The New York Times

People look miserable.

The Guardian

Their occupants all looked miserable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's emotional state, use "looks miserable" to convey a visible expression of unhappiness. It's suitable when the misery is apparent in their appearance or demeanor.

Common error

Avoid using "looks miserable" to describe someone experiencing temporary discomfort, such as during physical exertion. It is most appropriate when describing a persistent or deep-seated unhappiness that manifests outwardly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks miserable" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that someone or something appears unhappy or distressed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looks miserable" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone or something that appears unhappy or distressed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in written English, particularly in news and media contexts. While there are several synonyms like "appears unhappy" or "seems dejected", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a visible expression of unhappiness rather than temporary discomfort. Remember that "looks miserable" focuses on outward appearance, while "feels miserable" describes an internal state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears unhappy

Replaces "looks" with "appears", focusing on the outward impression of unhappiness.

seems dejected

Uses "seems" instead of "looks" and replaces "miserable" with "dejected", suggesting a feeling of being disheartened.

looks crestfallen

Substitutes "miserable" with "crestfallen", emphasizing disappointment and sadness.

looks distraught

Replaces "miserable" with "distraught", highlighting severe emotional distress.

seems forlorn

Employs "seems" instead of "looks" and "forlorn" instead of "miserable", conveying a sense of being lonely and sad.

appears despondent

Uses "appears" instead of "looks" and replaces "miserable" with "despondent", suggesting a state of low spirits and hopelessness.

looks woebegone

Substitutes "miserable" with "woebegone", emphasizing sadness and a troubled appearance.

seems downcast

Employs "seems" instead of "looks" and replaces "miserable" with "downcast", conveying a feeling of being discouraged or depressed.

appears gloomy

Uses "appears" instead of "looks" and replaces "miserable" with "gloomy", focusing on a cheerless and pessimistic appearance.

looks melancholy

Replaces "miserable" with "melancholy", suggesting a thoughtful sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "looks miserable" in a sentence?

You can use "looks miserable" to describe someone whose expression or demeanor suggests unhappiness, for example, "After losing the game, the team captain "looked miserable"".

What are some synonyms for "looks miserable"?

Alternatives include "appears unhappy", "seems dejected", or "looks crestfallen" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "looks miserable" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "looks miserable" might be perceived as somewhat informal. In formal contexts, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "appears despondent" or "seems forlorn".

What's the difference between "looks miserable" and "feels miserable"?

"Looks miserable" refers to an outward appearance of unhappiness, while "feels miserable" describes an internal emotional state. Someone can "look miserable" even if they don't feel that way internally, and vice versa.