Definition

Adverb 1. In a wretchedly unhappy, depressed, or dejected manner: Describes an action done while experiencing or expressing great unhappiness, discomfort, or sorrow. 2. In a pitifully inadequate, unsatisfactory, or contemptible manner: Describes an action done to a very poor or failing standard, often deserving of pity or scorn.

Usage and Examples

• She sighed miserably, staring out at the relentless rain.
• The team performed miserably, losing by a score of 10-0.
• He failed miserably in his attempt to fix the leak, making it worse.
• The lost dog whined miserably outside the door.

Advanced Usage

• To fail miserably: This is a common collocation meaning to fail completely and utterly.
  • His plan to surprise her failed miserably when she found out a week early.
• Can be used to intensify verbs describing negative states or poor performance.
  • The experiment went miserably wrong.
  • He felt miserably alone.

Variants and Related Words

• Miserable (adjective): Very unhappy or uncomfortable; causing great discomfort or unhappiness; pitiable or contemptible.
  • They lived in miserable conditions.
  • He was a miserable coward.
• Misery (noun): A state of great suffering or discomfort of mind or body.
  • The war brought widespread misery.

Synonyms

• Wretchedly: In a deeply distressed or pitiable state.
• Pathetically: In a manner arousing pity, especially through inadequacy or sadness.
• Dejectedly: In a sad and depressed way.
• Dismally: In a gloomy or depressing manner; very badly.
• Abysmally: To a very great degree; extremely badly.

Antonyms

• Happily: In a pleased or contented manner.
• Successfully: In a way that accomplishes a desired aim or result.
• Splendidly: In an excellent or impressive manner.
• Cheerfully: In a noticeably happy and optimistic way.

Adverb

1. in a miserable manner
   • I bit my lip miserably and nodded