as in tragedy
bad luck or an example of this
through sheer misfortune our car got a flat tire and we were late for the ceremony our misfortunes of the last year included the loss of a beloved pet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 misfortune
Apart from her increasing unreliability, and the fact that musicals were outré, Minnelli had the misfortune of becoming famous in an era when versatility was the rage.
—
Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
The Windy City’s misfortune was the Crescent City’s reprieve.
—Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
This was not random misfortune.
—Darius Johnson, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
But a staggering series of misfortunes – an arsonist destroyed her rental house; the private equity firm that owned the house still demanded two months’ rent and kept her security deposit; she was diagnosed with ovarian and breast cancer – forced her into tenuous housing situations.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misfortune
Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
The Windy City’s misfortune was the Crescent City’s reprieve.
—Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
This was not random misfortune.
—Darius Johnson, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
But a staggering series of misfortunes – an arsonist destroyed her rental house; the private equity firm that owned the house still demanded two months’ rent and kept her security deposit; she was diagnosed with ovarian and breast cancer – forced her into tenuous housing situations.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misfortune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfortune
Noun
-
North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme, who sometimes served as a mentor and listening board for Metayer Bowen, was equally saddened by the tragedy.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the Reina Sofía’s many refusals to lend the work to various institutions around the world, its rebuff of the Guggenheim’s request carries a particular sting because the Basque Country has long held that the painting belongs in the place where the depicted tragedy occurred.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
To date, the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation has raised more than $610,000, providing grants, scholarships, and financial support to more than 230 local food and beverage professionals during times of hardship.—
Lauren Crawford,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Those who qualify for a hardship deferment include people receiving certain types of federal or state aid and anyone volunteering in the Peace Corps, Kantrowitz said.—
Kamaron McNair,Annie Nova,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In that case, misery turned into something less miserable (at least until the start of the playoffs).—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Two decades of misery In truth, Italy started the game on top, scoring in the 15th minute through Fiorentina forward Moise Kean to set up what should have been a smooth, routine win.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misfortune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfortune. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
