Synonyms for Miserable
Definition of miserable
adjective
- very unhappy; full of misery; "he felt depressed and miserable"; "a message of hope for suffering humanity"; "wretched prisoners huddled in stinking cages"
- deserving or inciting pity; "a hapless victim"; "miserable victims of war"; "the shabby room struck her as extraordinarily pathetic"- Galsworthy; "piteous appeals for help"; "pitiable homeless children"; "a pitiful fate"; "Oh, you poor thing"; "his poor distorted limbs"; "a wretched life"
- of the most contemptible kind; "abject cowardice"; "a low stunt to pull"; "a low-down sneak"; "his miserable treatment of his family"; "You miserable skunk!"; "a scummy rabble"; "a scurvy trick"
20 synonyms found
Writing tips for "miserable"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like abject, contemptible, deplorable can replace "miserable" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
With 20 alternatives available, "miserable" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.
"Miserable" in song lyrics
See how miserable is used in real songs:
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"and then we wonder why we live miserable"
All Natural — Godspeed -
"Critical, outlook on life seems miserable"
Benefit — Call of Revolt -
"Individuals makin gold diggers miserable"
Blahzay Blahzay f/ Smoothe, LA, Trigga — Danger Part 2