ˌən-ˈfȯrch-nət
1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
an unfortunate chain of events destroyed the business
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfortunate
Last season the club’s Premier League and Champions League chances were impacted by unfortunate injuries, which left them short of replacements at key moments.
—
Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 6 July 2025
When Palestinian voices are suppressed or ignored, the global community is deprived of their ideas for ending violence long viewed as unfortunate but inevitable.
—Micah Danney, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
And in the process of owning your role in the unfortunate circumstances, remember, never blame your superior or the board in a public forum.
—Carol Geffner, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
While Malle is clearly qualified to oversee editorial content, the timing is unfortunate for her chances.
—Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 6 July 2025
When Palestinian voices are suppressed or ignored, the global community is deprived of their ideas for ending violence long viewed as unfortunate but inevitable.
—Micah Danney, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
And in the process of owning your role in the unfortunate circumstances, remember, never blame your superior or the board in a public forum.
—Carol Geffner, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
While Malle is clearly qualified to oversee editorial content, the timing is unfortunate for her chances.
—Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
-
Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in June 2024.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
31 July 2025
-
Investors dumped Edison shares amid worries that the company would be found liable for one of the blazes, potentially draining the fund and leaving utilities without a cushion if another disastrous fire hits the state.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Things will become much clearer once Jenkins — who is unhappy with his current contract is currently sidelined with a back injury — begins practicing.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
27 July 2025
-
Galino is unhappy with how Jimenez is running his territory, and thinks Tommy can help the cartel get into the oil business.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 July 2025
Adjective
-
This disparity persists because of the tragic nature of these diseases.—
Shahriar Minokadeh,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
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Some historians see him as a visionary who glimpsed a future Hawaii caught between two worlds; others view him as a tragic figure undone by the violent tide of change.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The 2024 case was not fatal, health department spokesperson Kimberly Harry indicated on July 28.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
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Simmons said very few improvements have been made to the highway, even as the fatal accidents continue to happen.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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These unpredictable, and often downright unfavorable, conditions are already impacting event attendance.—
Shawn Pierce,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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Now, as then, Chinese leaders may pursue war even if the domestic economic and political conditions appear unfavorable—and even if the PLA is not ready to fight.—
M. Taylor Fravel,
Foreign Affairs,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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