ˌən-ˈfȯrch-nət
1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
an unfortunate chain of events destroyed the business
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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
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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
An unfortunate own goal from Yazan Al Arab and a late Marko Arnautovic penalty sealed the three points for Austria.
—
Andy Jones, New York Times, 17 June 2026
This is unfortunate because the ability of science to make a meaningful difference in the world is accelerating.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 16 June 2026
Rinsing them thoroughly helps keep these unfortunate extras off your plate, and also improves the flavor and texture of the peaches by removing any unwanted grit.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
Or, to go even further back, Three's Company favorites Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt, whose friendship ended under unfortunate professional circumstances.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Andy Jones, New York Times, 17 June 2026
This is unfortunate because the ability of science to make a meaningful difference in the world is accelerating.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 16 June 2026
Rinsing them thoroughly helps keep these unfortunate extras off your plate, and also improves the flavor and texture of the peaches by removing any unwanted grit.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
Or, to go even further back, Three's Company favorites Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt, whose friendship ended under unfortunate professional circumstances.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
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Labour has teetered on the edge of one for weeks after those disastrous local election results, and only Burnham’s inability to run before now seems to have delayed one.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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On Monday night, David Remnick interviewed Hillary Rodham Clinton for a live taping of The New Yorker Radio Hour, where the former First Lady spoke plainly about Joe Biden and the disastrous 2024 election.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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The European Commission froze billions of euros in funds for Hungary in response to democratic backsliding led by Orbán, and concern lingers about the damage that can be done when one unhappy government insists on wielding its veto.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
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Social media is making children unhappy and is designed to be addictive, Starmer said at a press conference.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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Alexander Davis, 34, of North Carolina, was a weapon systems officer for the 419th Flight Test Squadron, and had flown B-52 missions for years before the tragic crash that claimed his life.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
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Her lawyer alleges that postpartum mental health issues caused the tragic result that night.—
Kristina Rex,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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Drug dealers mix fentanyl, because of its potency and low cost, with other drugs including heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, which increases the likelihood of a fatal dose, according to the DEA.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
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Other fatal skydiving crashes in Missouri Sunday’s crash was at least the fourth deadly skydiving incident in Missouri since 1998.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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During The Great Dying, massive volcanic eruptions triggered catastrophic climate changes that altered the planet’s entire biosphere.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
18 June 2026
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Only the United States was humiliated; both countries have experienced a catastrophic loss.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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