UNHAPPILY Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

unhappily

adverb

ˌən-ˈha-pə-lē

Definition of unhappily

as in bitterly

with feelings of bitterness or grief an unhappily married couple being counseled by a professional

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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 unhappily How many of my life decisions have been made in reaction to feeling unhappily married? — Liana Finck, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026 Even at the elite level, some runners thrive under the long-term guidance of a coach, others seem to bounce unhappily from coach to coach, and a few—Frank Shorter, Patrick Sang, and Jakob Ingebrigtsen are notable examples—have mostly preferred to call their own shots. — Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 22 Mar. 2026 Even high productivity numbers may not be enough to pay the government’s debts, and there will be many people unhappily and under-employed. — Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026 The film centers on Westley (Cary Elwes), a farmhand who goes on a noble quest to rescue his beloved Buttercup (Robin Wright) from the clutches of the loathsome Prince Humperdink (Chris Sarandon), to whom she's unhappily betrothed. — James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unhappily

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unhappily

Adverb

Conservationists fought bitterly over whether trapping every bird should be considered rescue or surrender.

— David Ginsburg, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
And the fourth was about how Bush’s advisers fought bitterly and were split on economic policy.

— Bob Woodward, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of bitterly

Adverb

Give me Miller Park (American Family Field nowadays, sadly) in the World Series all day long.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Sure, there will likely be, sadly but understandably, no new Gaga album or tour in the immediate future—but that doesn’t mean her personal style is going anywhere.

— Christian Allaire, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of sadly

Adverb

Conversations around racial caricature have evolved; what was edgy feels painfully passé.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Related Stories Those two forces, love and war, coexist painfully in what may be the most ambitious film of this year’s Oscar season.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of painfully

Adverb

Fra Fee, as Joe, has a slightly harder task, since his role is almost entirely reactive; while Ethan bangs on mournfully about, effectively, the dangers of shagging your brother’s wife — well, who would have thought?

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026
Mayfield watched mournfully in his kitchen while the rest of the family sat in the living room with the big screen next to a Christmas tree.

— John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026

Definition of mournfully

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unhandy

unhappily

unhappiness

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

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Synonyms of unhappily

adverb

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