We’ve all been in situations where something disappointing, frustrating, or unfortunate happens.
While “that sucks” is a common way to express sympathy or frustration, using the same phrase repeatedly can make your conversations sound repetitive.
Expanding your vocabulary with alternative expressions can make your reactions more engagin.
whether you’re chatting with friends, writing a message, or expressing your feelings in a creative way.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 19 other ways to say “that sucks” to help you diversify your expressions while keeping your conversations natural and relatable.
19 Other Ways to Say “That Sucks”
- That’s unfortunate
- What a bummer
- That’s rough
- That’s a shame
- That’s too bad
- That stinks
- That’s disappointing
- That’s terrible
- That’s brutal
- That’s messed up
- That’s not great
- That’s a drag
- That’s dreadful
- That’s a letdown
- That blows
- That’s unlucky
- That’s harsh
- That’s soul-crushing
- That’s a nightmare
1. That’s unfortunate
Definition:
Used to express sympathy or regret over an undesirable situation.
Description:
This phrase is a polite and neutral alternative to “that sucks.” It works well in both casual and formal situations, making it a versatile way to acknowledge disappointment.
Usage Examples:
- You missed the deadline? That’s unfortunate.
- He lost his job last week. That’s unfortunate.
2. What a bummer
Definition:
A casual way to express disappointment or sympathy.
Description:
This phrase is commonly used in informal conversations when reacting to bad news. It conveys a sense of empathy and understanding.
Usage Examples:
- You can’t make it to the party? What a bummer!
- The concert got canceled. What a bummer!
3. That’s rough
Definition:
Used to acknowledge a difficult or unpleasant situation.
Description:
This phrase is often used in casual settings to show support or understanding when someone is going through a tough time.
Usage Examples:
- You had to work a double shift? That’s rough.
- He failed his exam? That’s rough.
4. That’s a shame
Definition:
A mild expression of regret or disappointment.
Description:
This phrase is slightly formal and is often used in professional or everyday conversations to express sympathy without sounding overly emotional.
Usage Examples:
- You lost your wallet? That’s a shame.
- The store ran out of your size? That’s a shame.
5. That’s too bad
Definition:
A simple way to express disappointment about an unfortunate event.
Description:
This phrase is neutral and widely used in conversations to acknowledge when something unfavorable happens.
Usage Examples:
- You didn’t get the job? That’s too bad.
- Your flight got delayed? That’s too bad.
6. That stinks
Definition:
A more casual way to express frustration or sympathy.
Description:
This phrase is similar to “that sucks” but slightly softer and more family-friendly.
Usage Examples:
- You have to work this weekend? That stinks!
- The internet is down? That stinks.
7. That’s disappointing
Definition:
Used to express regret when something doesn’t go as expected.
Description:
This phrase is a slightly more formal and straightforward alternative to “that sucks,” making it suitable for various contexts.
Usage Examples:
- The restaurant closed early? That’s disappointing.
- Your team lost? That’s disappointing.
8. That’s terrible
Definition:
A stronger expression of sympathy or dismay.
Description:
This phrase is used when something is particularly bad or unfortunate.
Usage Examples:
- Your car broke down on the highway? That’s terrible!
- You got scammed? That’s terrible!
9. That’s brutal
Definition:
Used to describe a situation that is extremely tough or unpleasant.
Description:
This phrase is often used in informal settings to emphasize how difficult or painful an experience is.
Usage Examples:
- You had to take three exams in one day? That’s brutal.
- Waking up at 5 AM every day? That’s brutal.
10. That’s messed up
Definition:
Used when something seems unfair or wrong.
Description:
This phrase conveys a stronger emotional reaction and is often used when expressing frustration over injustice.
Usage Examples:
- They fired you without warning? That’s messed up!
- Someone stole your bike? That’s messed up.
11. That’s not great
Definition:
A softer way to express disappointment.
Description:
This phrase is a more subtle way to acknowledge a negative situation without being too dramatic.
Usage Examples:
- The hotel has bad reviews? That’s not great.
- The coffee machine broke? That’s not great.
12. That’s a drag
Definition:
A casual way to express frustration or annoyance.
Description:
This phrase is slightly old-fashioned but still commonly used in informal conversations.
Usage Examples:
- You have to work overtime? That’s a drag.
- The movie was boring? That’s a drag.
13. That’s dreadful
Definition:
Used to describe something truly unpleasant or upsetting.
Description:
This phrase is more dramatic and is often used to emphasize how bad a situation is.
Usage Examples:
- The food was awful? That’s dreadful!
- You lost your passport? That’s dreadful.
14. That’s a letdown
Definition:
Used to express disappointment when expectations aren’t met.
Description:
This phrase is commonly used when something doesn’t live up to expectations.
Usage Examples:
- The movie wasn’t as good as expected? That’s a letdown.
- The game ended in a tie? That’s a letdown.
15. That blows
Definition:
A casual and slightly crude way to express frustration.
Description:
This phrase is very informal and best used in casual conversations.
Usage Examples:
- You lost your phone? That blows.
- You didn’t get the promotion? That blows.
16. That’s unlucky
Definition:
A way to express sympathy when someone experiences bad luck.
Usage Examples:
- You missed the bus? That’s unlucky.
- Your team lost in the last minute? That’s unlucky.
17. That’s harsh
Definition:
Used when something seems particularly unfair or severe.
Usage Examples:
- They gave you extra work? That’s harsh.
- He got a parking ticket? That’s harsh.
18. That’s soul-crushing
Definition:
A dramatic way to describe extreme disappointment.
Usage Examples:
- The project got canceled? That’s soul-crushing.
- They rejected your manuscript? That’s soul-crushing.
19. That’s a nightmare
Definition:
Used for extremely bad situations.
Usage Examples:
- Your flight got delayed for 10 hours? That’s a nightmare!
- Moving houses in the rain? That’s a nightmare.
Conclusion:
Finding the right way to say “That sucks”—whether politely or humorously—can help you navigate conversations with ease.
From lighthearted phrases like “Well, that’s a bummer!” to more formal alternatives like “That’s unfortunate,” you can express sympathy without sounding harsh.
The key is to match the tone of the situation while keeping communication positive and engaging.
Want more creative ways to respond? Explore our full guide for the best expressions!
