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unhappily

unhappily

15 1.3
In a sad or regretful way
  • adverb
  • /ʌnˈhæpɪli/
translation icon : tristemente
  • "The kid got to his feet, took Penelope by the hand, and walked unhappily into the cool night air.
  • unhappily married

This might be an overstatement, Bagini says, but it is unhappily close to the truth.

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Examples

  • And as George watched her go, he thought unhappily of what was happening to his sister in California.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "As the crowd murmured unhappily, Larissa felt a chill creep through her."

    Fiction book (1992)
  • But Ed looks down unhappily to where the kids are sitting.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • But, you know, generally consistent result is that women tend to be more unhappily married than men.

  • "We thought that I'd be able to get to the airport," my father explained unhappily.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Harry moves to the window, unhappily watching as Joan gets into the Mercedes and drives off.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Maguire slumped unhappily into a chair while Greer Dawson walked primly to the front of the room.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Some days after Dunwin's departure in pursuit of Bernice, Odo looked unhappily around his home and sighed loudly.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Sophie is unhappily married to a conservative lawyer named Otto, feeling trapped in her situation.

  • Many reservists are unhappily serving longer than expected, struggling with the demands of their duty.

Synonyms

unfortunately
vsunhappily
2.9

Shows that something is sad or unlucky

focuses on emotional unhappiness or regret rather than stating bad luck
sadly
vsunhappily
291 1.0

To show that something is unfortunate or disappointing

focuses on personal sadness rather than only stating bad luck
miserably
vsunhappily
51 2.2

In a way that shows great unhappiness or pain

is milder and may refer to unfortunate events rather than extreme misery
regrettably
vsunhappily
  • Formal
35 4.6

Saying that something is sad or disappointing

is more about feeling sadness than merely stating unfortunate facts
regretfully
vsunhappily
  • Formal
13 3.8

Saying something while feeling sorry, often when you tell bad news

is about general unhappiness rather than only the act of expressing regret
glumly
vsunhappily
6 5.8

In a sad, quiet way that shows someone is unhappy

is less intense and can include regret rather than deep sorrow
dismally
vsunhappily
3 4.8

In a gloomy way that makes people feel sad or hopeless

covers personal sadness or regret as well as mere gloominess
wretchedly
vsunhappily
2 6.8

In a very sad and unhappy way

is broader and can mean simple unhappiness rather than only extreme suffering
dejectedly
vsunhappily
2 6.5

In a sad, disappointed way

covers general unhappiness including misfortune rather than only visible dejection
sorrowfully
vsunhappily
1 4.6

In a sad way that shows a person is sorry

covers general unhappiness and unfortunate events rather than only sorrow
disconsolately
vsunhappily
  • Literature
1 8.5

In a very sad way that shows no comfort or hope

sometimes covers milder unhappy or unfortunate situations rather than only hopeless grief
inconsolably
vsunhappily
1 7.2

So sad that nothing can comfort them

is less absolute and can include ordinary regret or misfortune
despondently
vsunhappily
1 7.3

In a sad, hopeless way that shows you have lost hope

may be used for general unhappiness or regrettable events rather than hopelessness
disappointedly
vsunhappily
1 2.8

In a way that shows you feel sad because you did not get what you wanted

expresses broader sadness or regret beyond just unmet expectations
uncheerfully
vsunhappily
6.7

In a way that shows you are not happy

conveys actual sadness or regret rather than only missing happiness
cheerlessly
vsunhappily
6.5

In a sad, tired way with little energy

includes sadness or regret rather than only a gloomy attitude
joylessly
vsunhappily
5.8

In a way that shows no happiness or pleasure

expresses sadness or regret rather than merely absence of pleasure
discontentedly
vsunhappily
7.4

In a way that shows someone is unhappy or not satisfied

covers sadness or regret and also unlucky or unfortunate events

Antonyms

279 1.0

Do something in a cheerful way

How Unhappy

woefully
27 6.5
miserably
51 2.2
unhappily
15 1.3
sadly
53 1.0

Surface Forms

unhappily positive

Morphology

unhappily = unhappy (transparent) = un + happy + ly

The adverb is a regular -ly derivation from 'unhappy', meaning 'in an unhappy manner', which is directly predictable from the base.

Etymology

Unhappily is made of the parts un- meaning 'not', happy meaning 'feeling good', and -ly meaning 'in a ... way'. So unhappily means 'in a not-happy way', which is why we use it to say someone did something sadly or with regret.