as in bitterly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
an unhappily married couple being counseled by a professional
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unhappily
One of the youngest of the MacKenzie brood (and often seen with sister Janet), Jocasta Cameron is sometimes callously honest, perpetually jealous of the attention Ellen gets, and unhappily married to an old man.
—
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
These checks on presidential powers have not only been heeded by the men in power, however unhappily, but have become part of case law.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025
Some lived unhappily at the club, unable to maximise their talent or contribute to success.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Moscow, Washington, and, however unhappily, Kyiv know that NATO membership is out of Ukraine’s reach.
—The Editors, National Review, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unhappily
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
These checks on presidential powers have not only been heeded by the men in power, however unhappily, but have become part of case law.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2025
Some lived unhappily at the club, unable to maximise their talent or contribute to success.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Moscow, Washington, and, however unhappily, Kyiv know that NATO membership is out of Ukraine’s reach.
—The Editors, National Review, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unhappily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unhappily
Adverb
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The federal government shutdown enters its 21st day – headed toward its fourth week – as Democrats and Republicans remain bitterly divided over how to resolve rising health care costs.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
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Taylor makes a persuasive case for how artists can grow, if incrementally and maybe bitterly, amid so much numbing digital noise.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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While Wohl’s script is packed to the brim with thoughtful moments of beauty, comedy, and heartbreak, Liberation wouldn’t be nearly as affecting and, sadly, relatable without its stellar cast.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
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Mitnaul said that sadly, animals being left behind in properties is not uncommon.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Eastwood and Fitzgerald are barely in the movie long enough to register, Williams’ 30-something mom lacks any actual spirit, and Franco’s painfully earnest single dad can’t decide whether to keep his glasses on and off.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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Every New York Yankees fan is painfully aware of the rough season starting shortstop Anthony Volpe had in Year 3 as a big-leaguer.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unhappily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unhappily. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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