sad

1 of 2

adjective

ˈsad How to pronounce sad (audio)
sadder; saddest
Synonyms of sadnext
1
a
: affected with or expressive of grief or unhappiness : downcast
b(1)
: causing or associated with grief or unhappiness : depressing
sad news
(2)
: regrettable, deplorable
… a sad relaxation of morals.—C. W. Cunnington
c
: of little worth
2
: of a dull somber color
sadness noun

SAD

2 of 2

abbreviation

seasonal affective disorder

Synonyms of sad

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Adjective

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Examples of sad in a Sentence

Adjective He's feeling sad because his pet died. People were sad that he was leaving. The experience left her sadder but wiser. Have you heard the sad news about his wife's illness? It'll be a sad day when you leave us. a movie with a sad ending He lived a sad life. The sad fact of the matter is that they are right. The new version is a sad imitation of the original movie. We needed more money but, sad to say, there wasn't any.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Meanwhile, the film works to wring out a tear, occasionally squeezing too hard, but earning several sad sighs of recognition. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 The team paired the iconic Gothic exterior of Knebworth House in Hertfordshire with the interiors of Broughton Castle, near Banbury, to represent this sad twist in the tale, ensuring the ominous feel was retained both inside and out. — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026 Tuesday's testimony in Media was emotional and sad as the 911 call of the stabbing was played. — Joe Holden, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Rodrigo is in the midst of her Unraveled tour in support of you seem pretty sad, which plays Boston on Thursday. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sad

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English sæd sated; akin to Old High German sat sated, Latin satis enough

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sad was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing sad

Rhymes for sad

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Browse Nearby Words

sacrum
sad
SAD
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Cite this Entry

“Sad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sad. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sad

adjective
ˈsad How to pronounce sad (audio)
sadder; saddest
1
: filled with or expressing grief or unhappiness
sad songs
2
: causing grief or unhappiness : depressing
sad news
sadly adverb

Medical Definition

SAD

abbreviation
seasonal affective disorder
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