Unhappily

adv

adv ·4 syllables ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Adverb
  1. 1
    Unfortunately; regrettably.

    "The line to Dunières consists of a series of breakneck descents almost invariably ended by a violent curve and followed immediately by a panting climb, on which the engine barked thunderously but failed unhappily to maintain its booked speed of 13 m.p.h."

  2. 2
    Through evil fate or chance; wretchedly.
  3. 3
    Without happiness; sadly.
Adverb
  1. 1
    in an unfortunate way wordnet
  2. 2
    in an unpleasant way wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
ineptlypainfullysadlysadlyunfortunately

Example

More examples

"You doubtless mean well; but your ideas are unhappily mistaken."

Etymology

From Middle English onhappily, unhappili, unhappily, unhappyly; equivalent to un- + happily or unhappy + -ly.

More for "unhappily"

SynonymsSentencesPronunciationTranslate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciationBrowse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.