un·for·tu·nate
ˌən-ˈfȯrch-nət,
-ˈfȯr-chə-
1
a
: not favored by fortune : unsuccessful, unlucky
an unfortunate young man
b
: marked or accompanied by or resulting in misfortune
an unfortunate decision
an unfortunate experience/result
2
a
: infelicitous, unsuitable
an unfortunate choice of words
b
: deplorable, regrettable
an unfortunate lack of taste
literary
: an unfortunate person
a group of poor unfortunates
Examples of unfortunate in a Sentence
Adjective
She was unfortunate enough to have been chosen as an example.
an unfortunate chain of events
It's unfortunate that he couldn't be here for your birthday.
He has an unfortunate tendency to show up late.
an unfortunate choice of words
Noun
a group of poor unfortunates
Recent Examples on the Web
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2025
The duo linked for five catches before Jackson’s unfortunate injury.
—Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
Everyone speaks in the highest terms of Dr. Wallace and the other officers of the Asylum, as invariably kind and humane towards these unfortunates.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
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Adjective
Tricia Mpisi, a South African influencer who attended an early screening of Wicked in 2024, detailed how Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande rescued her from an unfortunate incident in which a glass of champagne spilled all over her.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2025
The duo linked for five catches before Jackson’s unfortunate injury.
—Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
That’s significant — and ironic — because Bremen were the great unfortunates within the Woltemade situation.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
Everyone speaks in the highest terms of Dr. Wallace and the other officers of the Asylum, as invariably kind and humane towards these unfortunates.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfortunate. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unfortunate
1 of 2 adjective
un·for·tu·nate
ˌən-ˈfȯrch-(ə-)nət
1
a
: not fortunate : unlucky
b
: showing, accompanied by, or resulting in misfortune
an unfortunate experience
unfortunate investments
2
a
: unsuitable, infelicitous
an unfortunate choice of words
b
: deplorable sense 1
an unfortunate lack of taste
unfortunately
adverb
unfortunate
2 of 2 noun
: an unfortunate person
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