Sometimes, things do not turn out as expected, and we end up frustrated or sad. In such instances, responding with “That sucks” is appropriate. It’s an informal term for saying sorry and showing compassion when something goes wrong for someone. Read on to learn more about that sucks meaning, how to use this slang term, its synonyms, and how to respond when someone says “that sucks.”
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What Does That Sucks Mean?
As mentioned earlier, “that sucks” is an expression in response to disappointing news. For instance, if your friend said that he is sick and won’t be able to make it to your birthday party, you can respond with. “Ugh. That sucks.”
Example conversations:
You: The vacuum cleaner's suction force suddenly weakened. I now have to spend money on repairs or possibly get a new one!
Your friend: That sucks!
Your friend: I accidentally bite my tongue!
You: Well, that sucks!
You: I spent hours wrapping their gifts, but no one appreciated them.
Your friend: That sucks a lot.
You: I have to go to the ER. I hit my thumb on the back of the car!
Your friend: Damn. That sucks big time!
Your friend: My kids put lollipops, popsicles, and dirt on my hair while I was taking a quick nap.
You: Oh no! That sucks.
You: Pipe and sand landed on my head!
Your friend: Are you okay? That sucks.
That Sucks Synonyms
There are other phrases that you can use to express compassion. Some synonyms of “that sucks” include;
- That’s a shame.
- That’s too bad.
- What a bummer.
- That’s unfortunate.
- That’s rough.
When and How to Use That Sucks
You should use that sucks whenever you want to acknowledge someone’s bad situation. For instance, if your friend tells you they had a bad day at work. You could reply with, “That sucks.”
If you want to sound more emphatic, you can ask how they are doing – “That sucks. Are you alright? Would you like to discuss it further?” or offer words of encourangement – “That sucks. I hope you feel better soon!”
For formal conversations at work, you can opt for more professional responses like, “I’m sorry to hear about that.”
That’s Sucks or That Sucks: Which One Is Correct?
The correct phrase is “that sucks,” not “that’s sucks” because
“that’s” is a contraction of “that is.” So, when you expand “that’s sucks,” it becomes “that is sucks.”
How to Respond to That Sucks
What if you are on the receiving end of “that sucks”? How should you respond? Well, it depends on the situation and the person involved.
For instance, if your are chatting with your BFF, you can give more details about your problem. But if you are talking with a collegaue, a simple response like “I know” would suffice.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s because of a serious personal situation or something simple like missing the bus, the most common “that sucks” meaning is an expression in response to disappointing news.





