The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word DOLEFUL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
O
L
E
F
U
L
More clues leading to the result DOLEFUL
- Threatening to have party for graduate suffering grief
- Miserable benefit payment almost complete
- Old flue needs replacing, that’s sad
- Blue mould left exposed, rotting
- Miserable payment from the state – and flu is rampant!
- Financial support almost complete, still sad
- Handout’s only 75% complete, one’s miserable
- Sad when stuffed with pineapple brand?
- Gloomy and sad as an old failed Republican presidential candidate?
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Miserable" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case miserable = doleful.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DOLEFUL mean?
DOLEFUL adjective- Filled with grief, mournful, bringing feelings of sadness.