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
Where Bed Bugs Lurk In Hotel Rooms Bed bugs are an unfortunate risk of staying at a hotel.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 June 2026
The injury was an unfortunate occurrence in his World Cup debut and could affect Sweden’s chances going forward.
—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 June 2026
The mini-slump in Eugene coincides with the aforementioned downturn in Spokane to create an unfortunate stretch for college basketball in the Pacific Northwest.
—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2026
Which is sometimes a little bit unfortunate in the business.
—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 June 2026
The injury was an unfortunate occurrence in his World Cup debut and could affect Sweden’s chances going forward.
—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 June 2026
The mini-slump in Eugene coincides with the aforementioned downturn in Spokane to create an unfortunate stretch for college basketball in the Pacific Northwest.
—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2026
Which is sometimes a little bit unfortunate in the business.
—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
-
The last time Rushing caught Ohtani, the pitcher took over pitch-calling after a disastrous second inning against the Twins last week.
-
Since his disastrous tenure with the New York Yankees from 2016 to 2022, which included a suspension for violating MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy, Chapman has worked to turn around his career.
Adjective
-
The decade was an unhappy panorama of inflation, gas shortages, military humiliation, and revelations of political corruption.
-
On Tuesday, Paul urged Americans who are unhappy with the justices’ ruling to support his proposal.
Adjective
-
Anything tragic that happened to minorities was inevitable and necessary.
-
Titled ‘Forever 20′, it has been placed on 97 Avenue, close to the stadium’s Main Stand, on the eve of the first anniversary of their tragic passing in a car crash in Spain last July.
Adjective
-
The fatal hit-and-run occurred less than two hours after a 13-year-old boy was killed riding on the back of a moped in Queens after his friend slammed into an open car door and then careened into a moving truck.
-
The highest number of fatal attacks, the study found, occurred after high-risk behaviors, including deliberately entering waterways known to contain alligators.
Adjective
-
On the narrow question of AI’s most catastrophic risks, the major powers are beginning to agree.
-
Preexisting callus consistent with a repetitive stress injury leading to a catastrophic musculoskeletal failure.
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
