miserable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "miserable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that is used to describe someone or something that is feeling sad and unhappy. Example sentence: The cold and rainy weather made the children's school trip completely miserable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a peculiar thing, when you think about it, that a miserable pun has become as important as the Queen's Speech and The Wizard of Oz.

The Guardian

Yet commercially driven online websites, marketed to a youthful female readership, portray women as miserable victims.

The Guardian - Opinion

The England No3 then clubs her first boundary straight down the ground, just beating the dive of Jonassen, and follows it up with another, this one singeing the fingers of the bowler before being tossed over the rope courtesy of some pretty miserable fielding down on the boundary, with Jonassen this time the guilty party.

The Guardian - Sport

Electric Zoo's festivalgoers seemed sodden and miserable.

The Guardian - Music

Now, details have begun to emerge of Broomhilda's abhorrently miserable existence.

The Guardian - Film

I go nuts for coconut, so this week's theme has turned the supposedly most miserable week of the year into a round-the-world trip of brilliant breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And there's no point in being miserable.

The Guardian

And this bloke said, 'What are you looking so miserable about with all your money?'" Spall mimes a double take.

The Guardian - Film

The only good thing to come out of that completely miserable experience was that it made me decide to do what I wanted rather than what other people expected.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's going to be the most miserable film ever made, isn't it?

The Guardian - Film

Young and old love it I'm not a miserable artist!

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "miserable", consider the intensity of the feeling you want to convey; it's stronger than simply "sad" but less extreme than "wretched". Choose the word that best fits the specific context.

Common error

While "miserable" is a valid word, avoid overusing it in casual conversation. Over-reliance on it can make your speech sound overly dramatic or negative. Opt for milder alternatives like "unhappy" or "disappointed" in everyday settings.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "miserable" primarily functions to describe a noun's state or condition, indicating unhappiness, poor quality, or worthlessness. As Ludwig AI points out, it directly modifies the subject, painting a picture of emotional or circumstantial distress, similar to examples found in news, lifestyle, and sport contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Lifestyle

17%

Sport

13%

Less common in

Opinion

7%

Film

7%

Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "miserable" is a versatile adjective used to express unhappiness, inadequacy, or poor quality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, with examples spanning various contexts, notably news, lifestyle, and sports reporting. While synonyms like "unhappy" or "wretched" exist, "miserable" provides a distinct flavor to express negative sentiment. While generally neutral in register, overuse in informal contexts should be avoided. Remember to use "miserable" to modify a noun, accurately depicting a state of distress or inadequacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unhappy

Simple substitution indicating a lack of happiness; a direct synonym.

wretched

Implies a state of extreme unhappiness or misfortune; stronger emotional impact.

dejected

Suggests low spirits, often due to disappointment; focuses on the emotional state.

despondent

Indicates a loss of hope or courage; a more profound sense of sadness.

gloomy

Describes a state of pessimism or darkness; can apply to mood or atmosphere.

forlorn

Suggests being lonely and abandoned; emphasizes isolation and sadness.

crestfallen

Indicates disappointment and sadness, often after a setback; focuses on deflated spirits.

dispirited

Suggests a loss of enthusiasm or motivation; milder than "dejected".

unfortunate

Focuses on bad luck or adverse circumstances; shifts the emphasis from emotion to circumstance.

terrible

Indicates something extremely unpleasant or bad; broader application than emotional states.

FAQs

How can I use "miserable" in a sentence?

You can use "miserable" to describe a state of unhappiness, poor quality, or worthlessness. For example, "I felt "miserable" after failing the exam", "The weather was "miserable" all week", or "He's a "miserable" excuse for a friend".

What are some synonyms for "miserable"?

Some synonyms for "miserable" include "unhappy", "wretched", "dejected", "despondent", and "gloomy". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I'm feeling miserably"?

No, it is incorrect. "Miserable" is an adjective, so it modifies a noun. You should say "I'm feeling "miserable"". The adverb form, "miserably", modifies a verb, for example: "The team played miserably".

What is the difference between "miserable" and "pathetic"?

"Miserable" describes a state of unhappiness or suffering, while "pathetic" implies that something is so inadequate or unsuccessful that it evokes pity or contempt. A "miserable" person is unhappy, while a "pathetic" attempt is a failed attempt that elicits feelings of sadness or scorn.