as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits
with time the young woman got over the unhappiness caused by the breakup
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Recent Examples of unhappiness
But to attribute female unhappiness to feminism seems wildly ahistorical.
—
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Even so, prices are rising much more quickly than normal at a time when economic unhappiness has become a fixture of the political landscape.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Meanwhile, rumblings of unhappiness with some of the Kremlin’s wartime policies have put the spotlight on Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is due to make a speech on Saturday to mark Victory Day.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
But Mizrachi sees potential for Pensacola in some of the same forces that are luring Jews to Boca and Aventure — including unhappiness among New Yorkers with the city’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
—Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Nazarian also discussed the importance of addressing the psychological component of plastic surgery, noting that no procedure will fix underlying unhappiness.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
And just as Nicky is the only person who can see Morgan’s goodness inside her many flaws, only Morgan recognizes Nicky’s unhappiness buried within his bizarre decision to be a priest.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
The Gallup polling found that this growing group of independents tends to be motivated by unhappiness with the party in power — a dynamic that could benefit Democrats this year but doesn’t promise lasting loyalty.
—Joey Cappelletti, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Language remains a sensitive issue in mostly French-speaking Quebec, the country's second-most-populous province, where unhappiness over the dominance of English helped the rise of the separatist Parti Quebecois in the 1970s.
—Allison Lampert, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Even so, prices are rising much more quickly than normal at a time when economic unhappiness has become a fixture of the political landscape.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Meanwhile, rumblings of unhappiness with some of the Kremlin’s wartime policies have put the spotlight on Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is due to make a speech on Saturday to mark Victory Day.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
But Mizrachi sees potential for Pensacola in some of the same forces that are luring Jews to Boca and Aventure — including unhappiness among New Yorkers with the city’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
—Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Nazarian also discussed the importance of addressing the psychological component of plastic surgery, noting that no procedure will fix underlying unhappiness.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
And just as Nicky is the only person who can see Morgan’s goodness inside her many flaws, only Morgan recognizes Nicky’s unhappiness buried within his bizarre decision to be a priest.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
The Gallup polling found that this growing group of independents tends to be motivated by unhappiness with the party in power — a dynamic that could benefit Democrats this year but doesn’t promise lasting loyalty.
—Joey Cappelletti, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Language remains a sensitive issue in mostly French-speaking Quebec, the country's second-most-populous province, where unhappiness over the dominance of English helped the rise of the separatist Parti Quebecois in the 1970s.
—Allison Lampert, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unhappiness
Noun
-
The prospect filled me with surprising sadness.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
The bittersweet tale infused with humor and sadness chimed with the Cannes audience.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Data from one primary care clinic in Los Angeles, shared exclusively with NPR, shows a sharp rise in anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts among patients.—
Rhitu Chatterjee,
NPR,
17 May 2026
-
Chronic circadian misalignment is associated with a 30-40% higher risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, depression and anxiety.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
While the actors are committed, poignant and warm, their upbeat tone doesn’t always blend well with the melancholy of the picture.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
These flashes of melancholy or yearning give the record complexity and depth, as well as stopping it from devolving into wackiness.—
Alastair Shuttleworth,
Pitchfork,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unhappiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unhappiness. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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