SAD Synonyms: 263 Similar and Opposite Words

sad

adjective

ˈsad

Definition of sad

as in unhappy

feeling unhappiness movies in which the hero dies always make us feel sad

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in depressing

causing unhappiness the sad news about our uncle's death made my father cry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sad

Adjective

Dudus was apparently unhappy about a recent NBC News article that exposed Combs’ cushy life behind bars.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Tim Boyd San Juan Capistrano I’m sure there are Dodgers fans unhappy about losing to the Brewers.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

While mourning her father, the heartbroken Sara uses a piece of chalk to draw a circle on the floor of the attic resembling the one Rama creates to protect Sita.

— Sohini Sarah Pillai, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire honored Macy at a county Board of Supervisors meeting Wednesday, telling community leaders that her death had left his office and the wider community heartbroken.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of heartbroken

Adjective

And that's probably been the most heartbreaking for me, is to see certain students really kind of in the middle of this, right?

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
While all young deaths are tragic, caring for children with a progressive, inevitably fatal disease that denied emerging adolescents the promise of adulthood was especially heartbreaking.

— Fred D. Ledley, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of heartbreaking

Adjective

Celebrated as masterpieces today, at the time they were regarded as the unpolished works of a depressed, crazy man and commercially worthless.

— Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
In the event of a severe winter or import bottlenecks, depressed storage levels not only narrow Europe's capacity to absorb supply shocks but also risk driving natural gas prices higher.

— , CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of depressed

Adjective

Neighbors shocked about stabbing Neighbors say Thomas was known to have mental health issues and called the stabbing unfortunate.

— Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
To make matters worse, India’s Supreme Court, another vital democratic institution, has also played an unfortunate role in this train of events.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfortunate

Browse Nearby Words

sacrosanct

sad

sadden

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Style

“Sad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sad. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sad

adjective

Example Sentences

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