Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mischance differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mischance are adversity, misfortune, and mishap. While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance.

took the wrong road by mischance

When is adversity a more appropriate choice than mischance?

The meanings of adversity and mischance largely overlap; however, adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune.

had never experienced great adversity

In what contexts can misfortune take the place of mischance?

In some situations, the words misfortune and mischance are roughly equivalent. However, misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress.

never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

When could mishap be used to replace mischance?

The words mishap and mischance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck.

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mischance In the summer of 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, both Arsenal and Liverpool had the strange mischance to lift silverware in empty stadia: Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions in an Anfield devoid of fans, while Arsenal won the FA Cup final in a cavernous, echoing Wembley Stadium. James McNicholas, New York Times, 10 May 2025 Timothy Naftali, New York University historian But mischance and error plagued the U.S. effort to divert the missile crisis. Glenn Garvin, miamiherald, 18 Oct. 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischance
Noun
  • It has not been involved in major accidents before now, and is a workhorse of long-haul flights.
    Diaa Hadid, NPR, 13 June 2025
  • To add to the pressure, in 1993, when India was 14 months old, her mother died in a car accident.
    Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Escobar had the misfortune of stepping into the shadow of the past season with skeletons in her closet.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025
  • Plenty of other contenders faced similar misfortune.
    Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • Each of these tragedies reverberates through their departments and communities, amplifying the sense of vulnerability and loss.
    Jillian E. Snider, Boston Herald, 13 June 2025
  • Just hours before the accident, Kapur made a tribute to the Air India plane crash tragedy.
    StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mischance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischance. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mischance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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