misfortune

mis·for·tune

noun \ˌmis-ˈfȯr-chən\

Definition of MISFORTUNE

1

a : an event or conjunction of events that causes an unfortunate or distressing result : bad luck <by misfortune he fell into bad company> <had the misfortune to break his leg>

b : an unhappy situation <always ready to help people in misfortune>

2

: a distressing or unfortunate incident or event <misfortunes never come singly>

Examples of MISFORTUNE

1. a victim of economic misfortune
2. She endured her misfortune without complaint.
3. It was my misfortune to be chosen first.
4. Her injury was a great misfortune.
5. He blamed the party's misfortunes on poor leadership.

First Known Use of MISFORTUNE

15th century

Related to MISFORTUNE

Synonyms

adversity, ill, knock, misadventure, mischance, mishap, tragedy

Antonyms

fortune, luck, serendipity

Related Words

calamity, cataclysm, catastrophe, disaster; affliction, hardship, trial, tribulation, woe; distress, misery, suffering, unhappiness; defeat, failure, fizzle, nonsuccess; curse, evil, sorrow, trouble; accident, casualty; blow, body blow, disappointment, letdown, setback; circumstance, destiny, doom, fate, lot, portion

Near Antonyms

break, chance, fluke, godsend, hit, opportunity, strike, stroke, windfall; accomplishment, achievement, success

Synonym Discussion of MISFORTUNE

misfortune, mischance, adversity, mishap mean adverse fortune or an instance of this. misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress <never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune>. mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance <took the wrong road by mischance>. adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune <had never experienced great adversity>. mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck <the usual mishaps of a family vacation>.