as in tragedies
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
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Recent Examples of misfortunes
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
Their eyelike motifs have been associated with the evil eye that could curse performances and bring misfortunes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
How does falling victim to one of the most notoriously unlikely of all misfortunes reorient your sense of chance, of fate?
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
This is but the first in a series of escalating misfortunes.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
The journey is hampered by lack of money and other misfortunes, and it’s eventually interrupted by a gunshot, announcing the cantankerous presence of Tiga.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
The 33-year-old politician believes that the series illustrates a broader current issue, caused by the resurgence of public interest in the Kennedy clan and its misfortunes.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
But there’s a network of people looking to cash in on others’ misfortunes by renting out aging RVs to those searching for housing without a lease or tenant protections.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Some of these myths include a home facing south will bring financial and health problems and misfortunes to the occupants—however, many Vastu sources also say a south-facing home can be auspicious if done right.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
Their eyelike motifs have been associated with the evil eye that could curse performances and bring misfortunes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
How does falling victim to one of the most notoriously unlikely of all misfortunes reorient your sense of chance, of fate?
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
This is but the first in a series of escalating misfortunes.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
The journey is hampered by lack of money and other misfortunes, and it’s eventually interrupted by a gunshot, announcing the cantankerous presence of Tiga.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
The 33-year-old politician believes that the series illustrates a broader current issue, caused by the resurgence of public interest in the Kennedy clan and its misfortunes.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
But there’s a network of people looking to cash in on others’ misfortunes by renting out aging RVs to those searching for housing without a lease or tenant protections.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Some of these myths include a home facing south will bring financial and health problems and misfortunes to the occupants—however, many Vastu sources also say a south-facing home can be auspicious if done right.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfortunes
Noun
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Conrad said tragedies like the one that took Altman’s life remind him and other firefighters of the job’s danger.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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Caroline, as an ambassador of her family’s dynasty, has to offer condolences while keeping a stiff upper lip, only able to work through the latest of many tragedies in her life internally.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Minnesota's theatre scene says financial hardships are at an all-time high.—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Low-income seniors or those going through financial hardships due to a serious medical illness may qualify.—
Kat Tretina,
Sacbee.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But Louise, untroubled by their troubles, was having a conversation with Diana in her head.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Toilet troubles aside, in an interview with CBS on Saturday, the astronauts spoke about the mission’s symbolic importance for all those watching from Earth.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After a series of mishaps, including a sandstorm, mechanical problems and a helicopter collision, the operation was aborted.—
Sheena Samu,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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On-screen, the emergencies are larger than life with firenadoes, dangling trailers and Murphy-bed mishaps ripped from real headlines.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Inspired by the 1994 Australian TV series of the same name, the reboot chronicles the misadventures (and very real problems) of an entirely new generation of Hartley High students.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
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Directed by Paul Feig, the 2011 comedy followed the misadventures of a group of bridesmaids led by the maid of honor, Annie, played by Wiig (who also co-wrote the film).—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misfortunes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfortunes. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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