1
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness
movies in which the hero dies always make us feel sad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressing
causing unhappiness
the sad news about our uncle's death made my father cry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
no one expected the supermodel to be a great actress, but her acting is sad beyond belief
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sad
Perhaps the saddest part of the story is that, while killing her son may seem like a last resort, Hang wasn’t really out of options.
—
Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
One resident, who did not want to be named, said in a sad twist of irony that her late husband’s family helped build the current bridges.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
On a night which began with sad news about the St James’ Park legend’s cancer diagnosis, this game proved to be a fitting tribute.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
But don’t feel sad for this chapter closing, because for Graves, this isn’t a retirement in the traditional sense.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sad
Adjective
-
This is a no-win situation because one of us will end up unhappy.—
-
The automaker spent much of the year undoing decisions made by the previous CEO, Carlos Tavares, who resigned at the end of 2024, as stakeholders in the company — from dealers to union rank and file — were upset with him and unhappy with his leadership.—
Adjective
-
In the story, there is a lot of comedy that naturally arises from tragic moments, from dark, depressing moments.—
-
This is par for the course, because conversations are confusing, even depressing.—
Adjective
-
Add the pathetic reality that Illinois is the very definition of unfriendliness for business development and job creation, and the only thing Pritzker and his accomplices can campaign on is the vilification of Trump, facts be damned.—
-
There are solutions to Joe Biden’s failing and pathetic attempts to raise money to build a presidential library.—
Adjective
-
After Anna disappeared, Alice was heartbroken.—
-
A day after the shooting, Chez’s heartbroken parents proclaimed at a press conference outside the 101st Precinct stationhouse in Far Rockaway that their son posed no threat.—
Adjective
-
However, their actions stem from a place of love, companionship, humor and understanding, which makes the tale especially heartbreaking.—
-
Inspired by a 2017 Los Angeles Time article about a San Gabriel Valley tragedy, director Eric Lin’s heartbreaking feature painfully reminds us of the need to get help and how mental health issues within Asian cultures need to be destigmatized.—
Adjective
-
Here in his pitiful, mini Gaza where reasoning and logic struggle futilely.—
-
Instead Tripp comes across as simultaneously pitiful and predatory, a fine line that Paulson was able to walk straight to the year-round Christmas store.—
Adjective
-
Countries such as the Netherlands and Canada that passed similar bills have gone on to expand this type of legislation to allow doctors to give lethal medication to the depressed and other people with mental illnesses.—
-
Yes, our political leaders have given some of us reason to be resentful, cynical and even depressed.—
Adjective
-
Their late concession of the winning penalty to Morgan Gibbs-White, above, was unfortunate.—
-
Many unfortunate events were blamed on poison—the unexpected death of an enslaver or a slave, a spate of local deaths due to a virus or other disease, or problems on the plantation such as ill livestock or bad harvests.—
Cite this Entry
“Sad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sad. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share