Finding the right words can turn a casual phrase into a thoughtful, empathetic message. While “that sucks” is widely understood, using alternative expressions can make your communication feel more personal, caring, and meaningful.
Whether you’re responding to a friend, colleague, or family member, these 30 alternatives allow you to express empathy, disappointment, or frustration without sounding harsh or dismissive.
What Does “That Sucks” Mean?
“That sucks” is an informal phrase used to express sympathy, disappointment, or frustration about a situation. It communicates that something is unfortunate, unpleasant, or unfair.
While it’s casual and widely used, sometimes a more thoughtful or creative alternative can convey care and consideration, especially in professional or sensitive contexts.
When to Use “That Sucks”?
You might say “that sucks” when:
- Responding to someone sharing bad news
- Expressing frustration about an event or situation
- Showing sympathy casually
- Reacting to minor disappointments in everyday life
Tip: In formal or professional settings, it’s better to use alternatives that sound more polite, empathetic, or neutral.
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “That Sucks”?
In general, “that sucks” is informal and casual.
- ✅ Fine among friends, peers, or casual work chats
- ⚠️ Not ideal for formal emails, reports, or serious professional conversations
Using alternatives can help you sound empathetic, polished, and considerate while expressing the same sentiment.
Pros or Cons of Saying “That Sucks”
Pros:
- Simple, widely understood
- Casual and conversational
- Expresses empathy quickly
Cons:
- Informal; can seem rude in formal contexts
- Lacks emotional depth or personalization
- Overuse may feel lazy or unthoughtful
1. That’s Unfortunate
Meaning: A polite way to acknowledge a disappointing situation.
Explanation: Conveys sympathy without sounding harsh. Suitable for both professional and personal contexts.
Examples:
- “Oh, that’s unfortunate about your missed flight.”
- “That’s unfortunate; I know you were looking forward to it.”
- “It’s unfortunate that the event got canceled.”
Best Use: Professional emails, polite responses
Worst Use: Close friends in casual chat
Why It Works: Shows empathy and respect
Tone: Polite, considerate
2. That’s Rough
Meaning: Informal way to acknowledge difficulty or disappointment.
Explanation: Highlights sympathy and understanding casually.
Examples:
- “Wow, that’s rough; I hope things get better soon.”
- “That’s rough; missing your exam must be stressful.”
- “He lost his wallet? That’s rough.”
Best Use: Friends, casual conversation
Worst Use: Formal emails
Why It Works: Casual, relatable, human tone
Tone: Friendly, empathetic
3. What a Bummer
Meaning: Informal expression for disappointment.
Explanation: Conveys mild frustration or regret in a friendly way.
Examples:
- “What a bummer that the picnic got rained out.”
- “Missing the concert is such a bummer.”
- “What a bummer; I know you were excited.”
Best Use: Casual, personal conversation
Worst Use: Professional communication
Why It Works: Friendly, relatable, empathetic
Tone: Informal, lighthearted
4. That’s Tough
Meaning: Recognizes that the situation is challenging or disappointing.
Explanation: Shows support and understanding without overreacting.
Examples:
- “That’s tough about your delayed shipment.”
- “I know exams were canceled; that’s tough.”
- “That’s tough, especially after all your hard work.”
Best Use: Friends, peers, or empathetic messages
Worst Use: Formal reports
Why It Works: Balances empathy and simplicity
Tone: Warm, understanding
5. That’s a Shame
Meaning: Polite expression for regret or disappointment.
Explanation: Suitable in both formal and casual contexts to acknowledge unfortunate events.
Examples:
- “That’s a shame about the canceled meeting.”
- “It’s a shame you couldn’t attend the workshop.”
- “That’s a shame, I know you prepared so well.”
Best Use: Professional emails, polite conversation
Worst Use: Very casual text with friends
Why It Works: Polite, empathetic, neutral
Tone: Considerate, formal-friendly
6. That’s Not Ideal
Meaning: Neutral way to express mild disappointment.
Explanation: Communicates frustration or inconvenience without being overly negative.
Examples:
- “The printer broke? That’s not ideal.”
- “That’s not ideal that the train is delayed.”
- “That’s not ideal, but we can find a solution.”
Best Use: Professional, email updates
Worst Use: Casual chats with friends
Why It Works: Polite, constructive, neutral
Tone: Professional, calm
7. How Disappointing
Meaning: Expresses clear empathy and regret.
Explanation: A slightly formal way to acknowledge letdowns or setbacks.
Examples:
- “How disappointing that the project was postponed.”
- “Missing your performance must be so disappointing.”
- “How disappointing; I know you worked hard.”
Best Use: Professional + empathetic personal messages
Worst Use: Very casual slang context
Why It Works: Communicates empathy and understanding clearly
Tone: Polite, empathetic
8. That’s Frustrating
Meaning: Expresses annoyance or disappointment in a situation.
Explanation: Highlights emotional impact of the situation without sounding harsh. Shows that you understand the difficulty or inconvenience.
Examples:
- “The website crashed again? That’s frustrating.”
- “That’s frustrating, especially after all your effort.”
- “It’s frustrating when plans keep changing last minute.”
Best Use: Personal, casual, or empathetic conversations
Worst Use: Formal emails (unless light tone is acceptable)
Why It Works: Relatable and emotionally aware
Tone: Empathetic, friendly
9. That’s Disheartening
Meaning: A formal way to express sadness or disappointment.
Explanation: Shows serious concern or regret about a negative outcome. Works well in professional or supportive contexts.
Examples:
- “It’s disheartening that the proposal was rejected.”
- “That’s disheartening news about the project delay.”
- “Missing the award was truly disheartening for the team.”
Best Use: Professional communication, formal empathy
Worst Use: Casual texting with friends
Why It Works: Polite, formal, conveys deep empathy
Tone: Serious, respectful
10. That’s a Letdown
Meaning: Indicates disappointment when expectations are not met.
Explanation: Highlights unmet expectations without blaming anyone. Appropriate for casual and semi-formal situations.
Examples:
- “That’s a letdown that the concert was canceled.”
- “Missing the meeting was a real letdown.”
- “That’s a letdown, I know you were excited.”
Best Use: Semi-formal or personal conversation
Worst Use: Very formal reports
Why It Works: Simple and clear expression of disappointment
Tone: Casual, relatable
11. That’s Rough News
Meaning: A friendly, empathetic way to acknowledge bad news.
Explanation: Combines sympathy and understanding; casual but caring.
Examples:
- “Oh no, that’s rough news about your flight delay.”
- “That’s rough news about the canceled event.”
- “That’s rough news, I hope it gets resolved soon.”
Best Use: Friends, peers, casual work chats
Worst Use: Formal documentation
Why It Works: Relatable, human, empathetic
Tone: Warm, friendly
12. That’s Tough Luck
Meaning: Informal expression to acknowledge unfortunate circumstances.
Explanation: Casual, shows sympathy while keeping the tone light.
Examples:
- “That’s tough luck you missed the game.”
- “The train was late again? That’s tough luck.”
- “That’s tough luck, I know you were looking forward to it.”
Best Use: Casual, friendly conversation
Worst Use: Professional emails
Why It Works: Lighthearted empathy without overthinking
Tone: Informal, friendly
13. That’s Awful
Meaning: Expresses strong disapproval or sympathy.
Explanation: Can be casual or semi-formal depending on tone. Highlights the severity of a negative situation.
Examples:
- “That’s awful that you lost your wallet.”
- “That’s awful, I’m so sorry to hear that.”
- “The storm caused damage? That’s awful.”
Best Use: Personal conversations, empathetic messages
Worst Use: Very formal professional emails
Why It Works: Strong emotional impact without being rude
Tone: Direct, empathetic
14. That’s Regrettable
Meaning: A formal and polite expression of disappointment.
Explanation: Shows professionalism and empathy, often suitable for workplace or formal communication.
Examples:
- “It’s regrettable that the meeting was postponed.”
- “That’s regrettable about the project delay.”
- “It’s regrettable you couldn’t join the event.”
Best Use: Professional emails, formal notifications
Worst Use: Casual chat
Why It Works: Polite, respectful, neutral
Tone: Formal, professional
15. That’s Awkward
Meaning: Expresses mild discomfort or frustration about an unfortunate situation.
Explanation: Highlights social or situational discomfort, casual and relatable.
Examples:
- “That’s awkward that your presentation overlapped with another meeting.”
- “Missed your flight? That’s awkward.”
- “That’s awkward, but we can reschedule.”
Best Use: Casual or friendly situations
Worst Use: Formal professional communication
Why It Works: Human, relatable, light tone
Tone: Casual, empathetic
16. That’s Rough Spot
Meaning: Recognizes someone is in a difficult or challenging situation.
Explanation: Shows understanding of challenges; informal but supportive.
Examples:
- “Being stuck at work late? That’s a rough spot.”
- “That’s a rough spot, I hope it gets easier soon.”
- “Navigating deadlines is a rough spot.”
Best Use: Casual work, friends, peers
Worst Use: Formal documentation
Why It Works: Humanizes the response and shows empathy
Tone: Friendly, supportive
17. That’s Crummy
Meaning: Informal way to acknowledge disappointment or bad luck.
Explanation: Lighthearted, casual expression for minor setbacks.
Examples:
- “Lost your keys again? That’s crummy.”
- “That’s crummy that it rained during your picnic.”
- “Forgot the tickets? That’s crummy, but we can reschedule.”
Best Use: Friends, casual texting
Worst Use: Professional communication
Why It Works: Relatable, casual, human tone
Tone: Informal, lighthearted
18. That’s Unlucky
Meaning: Points out bad luck in a situation.
Explanation: Casual, expresses sympathy without blaming anyone.
Examples:
- “Missed your bus? That’s unlucky.”
- “That’s unlucky, I know you were ready on time.”
- “That’s unlucky about the delayed shipment.”
Best Use: Casual conversation, friendly chats
Worst Use: Formal professional emails
Why It Works: Shows empathy without being harsh
Tone: Friendly, relatable
19. That’s Miserable
Meaning: Expresses strong sympathy for unpleasant situations.
Explanation: Highlights emotional impact, slightly stronger than casual alternatives.
Examples:
- “Lost your bag in the airport? That’s miserable.”
- “That’s miserable, I know you were looking forward to it.”
- “Getting sick before the trip is miserable.”
Best Use: Empathetic personal conversations
Worst Use: Professional formal emails
Why It Works: Strong emotional connection
Tone: Empathetic, sincere
20. That’s a Drag
Meaning: Informal way to express mild annoyance or disappointment.
Explanation: Casual, light, often used with friends or colleagues.
Examples:
- “Missing your lunch break? That’s a drag.”
- “That’s a drag, I know you worked hard.”
- “The traffic jam? That’s a drag.”
Best Use: Casual conversation
Worst Use: Formal communication
Why It Works: Lighthearted, relatable
Tone: Informal, friendly
21. That’s Rough Going
Meaning: Indicates that a situation is challenging or difficult to handle.
Explanation: Empathetic and casual, shows understanding of the difficulty someone is experiencing.
Examples:
- “Dealing with this backlog must be rough going.”
- “That’s rough going, I hope things get easier soon.”
- “Adjusting to the new software is rough going at first.”
Best Use: Casual work conversations, friends
Worst Use: Formal professional emails
Why It Works: Shows empathy and understanding
Tone: Supportive, conversational
22. That’s Not Great
Meaning: Neutral, understated way to acknowledge disappointment.
Explanation: Polite, mild, and professional enough for semi-formal contexts.
Examples:
- “The report was delayed? That’s not great.”
- “That’s not great, I know you were relying on it.”
- “Missing the meeting is not great, but we’ll adjust.”
Best Use: Professional emails, polite feedback
Worst Use: Close friends (may feel cold)
Why It Works: Neutral, avoids sounding harsh
Tone: Polite, understated
23. That’s Unpleasant
Meaning: Formal way to express discomfort or regret about a situation.
Explanation: Conveys mild disapproval or empathy politely.
Examples:
- “Experiencing a delay is unpleasant.”
- “It’s unpleasant that the service was interrupted.”
- “The news about the cancellation is unpleasant.”
Best Use: Professional, formal communication
Worst Use: Casual texting
Why It Works: Polite, neutral, appropriate for work
Tone: Formal, calm
24. That’s Painful
Meaning: Expresses strong sympathy or emotional impact.
Explanation: Highlights the emotional toll of a situation, often used for personal challenges.
Examples:
- “Losing your pet is truly painful.”
- “Failing the exam must have been painful.”
- “Hearing that the project was rejected is painful.”
Best Use: Personal empathy, serious conversations
Worst Use: Casual joking
Why It Works: Shows strong understanding and compassion
Tone: Serious, empathetic
25. That’s Tough Break
Meaning: Casual way to acknowledge bad luck or misfortune.
Explanation: Friendly, empathetic, and shows solidarity in misfortune.
Examples:
- “Missing the promotion? That’s a tough break.”
- “Lost the tickets? That’s a tough break.”
- “The project was canceled? That’s a tough break.”
Best Use: Casual conversations with friends or colleagues
Worst Use: Formal emails
Why It Works: Relatable, friendly, human tone
Tone: Informal, supportive
26. That’s a Pain
Meaning: Informal way to express frustration or annoyance at a situation.
Explanation: Shows sympathy for inconvenience or difficulty casually.
Examples:
- “Waiting in line for hours? That’s a pain.”
- “That’s a pain, I know it’s inconvenient.”
- “Getting your flight delayed is really a pain.”
Best Use: Casual conversation
Worst Use: Professional/formal reports
Why It Works: Expresses shared frustration naturally
Tone: Informal, empathetic
27. That’s Disagreeable
Meaning: Polite, formal way to indicate unpleasant circumstances.
Explanation: Useful in professional or formal writing to express mild dissatisfaction.
Examples:
- “The delayed shipment is disagreeable.”
- “That’s disagreeable, but we can make adjustments.”
- “Experiencing these errors is disagreeable.”
Best Use: Formal or professional communication
Worst Use: Casual chat
Why It Works: Neutral, polite, professional
Tone: Formal, calm
28. That’s Awkward Situation
Meaning: Highlights embarrassment, difficulty, or social discomfort.
Explanation: Polite and casual, suitable for social situations or friendly conversations.
Examples:
- “The meeting overlap is an awkward situation.”
- “Missing the call is an awkward situation.”
- “That’s an awkward situation, but we can resolve it.”
Best Use: Friends, casual work situations
Worst Use: Highly formal communication
Why It Works: Shows empathy for social/relational challenges
Tone: Casual, understanding
29. That’s Rough Luck
Meaning: Casual way to express bad luck or misfortune.
Explanation: Similar to “tough luck,” informal and friendly.
Examples:
- “Your luggage got lost? That’s rough luck.”
- “Missed the train? That’s rough luck.”
- “That’s rough luck, hope it gets sorted quickly.”
Best Use: Casual, friendly, empathetic
Worst Use: Professional emails
Why It Works: Relatable, lighthearted empathy
Tone: Friendly, human
30. That’s a Bummer
Meaning: Casual expression for disappointment or bad news.
Explanation: Informal, widely used, shows empathy without being harsh.
Examples:
- “Canceled plans? That’s a bummer.”
- “That’s a bummer about the rainy weather.”
- “Lost the tickets? That’s a bummer, we can reschedule.”
Best Use: Casual conversation
Worst Use: Formal communication
Why It Works: Friendly, relatable, empathetic
Tone: Informal, warm
Conclusion
Using alternatives to “that sucks” allows you to:
- Express empathy thoughtfully
- Avoid sounding harsh or dismissive
- Adjust tone for casual, friendly, or professional contexts
- Make communication more personal, caring, and effective
These 30 alternatives help you respond to bad news or unfortunate situations in a way that shows empathy, understanding, and warmth, making your conversations and messages more meaningful and considerate.
