Synonyms for "miserable"

14 kid-friendly synonyms for miserable, sorted by grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8).

What does "miserable" mean?

The word miserable is an adjective that means: feeling very sad or uncomfortable.

Example: "I felt miserable with the flu."

Grade K–2Easy synonyms for miserable

Younger kids can use these in place of "miserable":

Grade 3–5Stronger words for miserable

For elementary writers ready to add precision and variety to their vocabulary:

Grade 6–8Middle-school vocabulary for miserable

Tier 2 academic alternatives — useful for essays, persuasive writing, and standardized tests:

Opposites of miserable (antonyms)

Words that mean the opposite of miserable:

See the full miserable antonyms page →

FAQ — synonyms for miserable

What is a good synonym for miserable in a kid's writing?
For K-2 writers, try sad. For older students, "unhappy" reads more naturally in school writing.
How many synonyms does miserable have?
We list 14 grade-appropriate synonyms for miserable across three reading levels. Adults' thesauruses include dozens more, but most aren't useful for K-8 vocabulary.
Is miserable a noun, verb, or adjective?
In this entry, miserable is used as an adjective.

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