ˌən-ˈfȯrch-nət
1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
an unfortunate chain of events destroyed the business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unhappy
having, prone to, or marked by bad luck
up to that point in her life she had been unfortunate in love
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress
an unfortunate choice of words that would later prove to be embarrassing for the talk show host
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 unfortunate
In the past, the public has gained insight into important medical conditions from the unfortunate maladies affecting the first families.
—
Daniel J. Stone, Twin Cities, 4 June 2025
With this bonanza have come unfortunate but predictable consequences: for the last 20 years, rosewood has held the dubious distinction of being the most trafficked natural product in the world.
—Justyna Gudzowska, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
And when her doctor misdiagnoses her autoimmune flare as stress, or when a hot flash relief drug never reaches pharmacy shelves because it’s deemed financially unviable — these aren’t mere unfortunate accidents.
—Christine Brennan, Boston Herald, 31 May 2025
The timing of Correa’s five-game absence for a concussion sustained in Baltimore on May 15 was unfortunate.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Daniel J. Stone, Twin Cities, 4 June 2025
With this bonanza have come unfortunate but predictable consequences: for the last 20 years, rosewood has held the dubious distinction of being the most trafficked natural product in the world.
—Justyna Gudzowska, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2025
And when her doctor misdiagnoses her autoimmune flare as stress, or when a hot flash relief drug never reaches pharmacy shelves because it’s deemed financially unviable — these aren’t mere unfortunate accidents.
—Christine Brennan, Boston Herald, 31 May 2025
The timing of Correa’s five-game absence for a concussion sustained in Baltimore on May 15 was unfortunate.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
-
Though Rivera was strong on balance beam and floor, posting the highest mark on beam and the third-best on floor, a disastrous bar routine took the Olympian out of the gold medal race.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
-
Both Israel and Iran have nuclear capabilities, which means that any escalation in fighting could have disastrous consequences for the international community.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Additionally, the more fiscally conservative Senate is increasingly unhappy with the cost of the bill, which is estimated to add $3.1 trillion to the deficit over the next decade.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Four of its main characters are in unhappy marriages and cheating on their spouses, which is sometimes awkwardly played for laughs.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
This is not just the story of that tragic moment and that heinous crime.—
Samantha Balaban,
NPR,
14 June 2025
-
In Variety's new profile of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery — the legendary resting place for many industry titans in Los Angeles — co-owner Tyler Cassity revealed that Yelchin's parents, Irina and Viktor, visit the actor's grave nearly every day, nine years after his tragic death at 27.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
EW.com,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
Selling bitcoin volatility into a bull market could prove fatal.—
Alexander S. Blume,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Here's what to know about the rare, but often fatal, disease.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
But at a time when student-athletes’ rights prevail and provide the freedom to change schools and cash in, coaches aim to regain control and curtail roster movement — even at the expense of a player in an unfavorable situation.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
-
The reality is that an underdeveloped supply chain and unfavorable economics are far larger factors.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share