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unhappy

unhappy

463 1.0
Feeling sad or not pleased about something
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈhæpi/
translation icon : infeliz
  • I was pretty unhappy for the most part.
  • feel unhappy
  • very unhappy
  • unhappy people

If Italy or the US or whoever were unhappy, well, OK.

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Examples

  • The unions would likely be joined by unhappy farmers in the vulnerable grain and sugar sectors.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Why are you so unhappy?

  • I see it that people have been unhappy for quite some time.

  • But you know, the people who are unhappy seem to be missing those things.

  • My wife became very unhappy with what was going on back then.

  • Everyone is extremely unhappy in the Spring Court, everybody.

  • I understand that you are unhappy, sir.

  • But she loved him, too, and knew that he would be unhappy about the delay.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • As we will see from the survey data below, Americans are clearly unhappy with congressional performance.

    Academic text (1990)
  • She was unhappy when she learned that her favorite team lost the game.

Synonyms

upset
vsunhappy
1.0

Feeling sad or worried because something bad happened

is calmer and covers sadness or sorrow beyond immediate worry
sad
vsunhappy
1.0

Feeling unhappy or upset because of something

is broader, also covering simple lack of joy or discontent
miserable
vsunhappy
443 1.8

Feeling very unhappy or suffering a lot

is less intense, referring to mere sadness or discontent without severe suffering
depressed
vsunhappy
441 3.5

Feeling very sad and without hope

is milder, applying to ordinary sadness rather than severe hopelessness
disgruntled
vsunhappy
68 6.5

Unhappy and annoyed because you feel unfairly treated or disappointed

is less about anger, focusing instead on sadness, sorrow, or general gloom
dissatisfied
vsunhappy
44 3.2

Not happy because something does not meet your expectations

is more about inner sadness and sorrow than unmet wants or expectations
distressed
vsunhappy
35 2.9

Feeling very upset, worried, or hurt

is narrower, focusing on sadness and sorrow rather than physical pain
glum
vsunhappy
23 4.1

Looking or feeling sad and quiet

is broader and includes overt sadness, sorrow, or general discontent
unsatisfied
vsunhappy
20 3.7

Feeling unhappy because you did not get what you wanted

is about sorrow and sadness rather than unmet practical needs or unrest
despondent
vsunhappy
18 7.7

Feeling very sad and without hope about the future

is less specific about hopelessness, covering general sorrow or displeasure
bummed
vsunhappy
  • Informal
16 7.5

Feeling sad or disappointed about something

is less informal and covers usual sorrow or ongoing discontent as well
sorrowful
vsunhappy
14 3.6

Feeling very sad because of loss or disappointment

is more general, covering milder lack of joy or simple discontent
displeased
vsunhappy
7 3.7

Not happy and a little annoyed

is more emotional, relating to sorrow and deeper feelings rather than mere displeasure
dejected
vsunhappy
5 4.5

Feeling very sad and not hopeful

is less specific about depth, covering ordinary sadness or discontent
discontented
vsunhappy
3 4.3

Feeling unhappy and not satisfied with your situation

is centered on sadness and sorrow rather than practical dissatisfaction
disconsolate
vsunhappy
  • Literature
2 8.2

Very sad and not able to be comforted

is less extreme and also covers ordinary sadness or mild discontent
dismayed
vsunhappy
2 4.3

Feeling shocked and disappointed when something unexpected happens

is more general, relating to lasting sadness rather than short shock or worry
dysphoric
vsunhappy
  • Specialized
1 9.2

Feeling very unhappy, uneasy, and restless inside

is more about sadness or sorrow rather than uneasy psychological distress
unmerry
vsunhappy
1 7.0

Not cheerful or happy

is more emotional, covering sorrow or deeper feelings, not just lack of cheer
discontent
vsunhappy
1 5.3

Not satisfied with the present situation

is about emotional sadness and sorrow rather than only unmet needs or conditions
unpleased
vsunhappy
4.5

Not happy with something

is broader, covering general sorrow or discontent beyond single issues
unmirthful
vsunhappy
8.2

Not amused or cheerful

is wider, referring to sorrow, sadness, or general displeasure as well

Antonyms

1.0

Feeling pleased and content

70 1.0

Feeling or showing great happiness

How Sad

miserable
443 1.8
gutted
  • Slang
8.2
sad
1.0
unhappy
463 1.0
down
  • Informal
24 6.7

Surface Forms

unhappy positive
unhappier comparative
unhappiest superlative

Morphology

unhappy = happy (transparent) = un + happy

The word 'unhappy' is transparently derived from 'happy' with the prefix 'un-' indicating negation.

Etymology

Unhappy is made from the prefix un- meaning 'not' and happy, which comes from an old word hap meaning 'luck' or 'good chance'. So unhappy literally meant 'not lucky' and now describes someone who feels sad or not pleased.