as in tragedy
bad luck or an example of this
through sheer misfortune our car got a flat tire and we were late for the ceremony our misfortunes of the last year included the loss of a beloved pet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 misfortune
Across almost 20 novels, the British author spun fantastical tales with unsentimental wit, infusing his work with darkly morbid humor, blithe child endangerment, rotten and antagonistic adults, and a willingness to occasionally laugh at the misfortune of others.
—
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
After reciting poetry, the same situation may appear differently, although nothing has changed except our perception, creating a space where the mystical, magical, or miraculous coexist, crafting a silver lining into the dark clouds of misfortune.
—K.j.s. “sunny” Anand, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Alex becomes increasingly desperate with each misfortune.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
There is, however, such a reality as too much of a good thing, even for those who imbibe in the saloon of others’ misfortune.
—Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misfortune
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
After reciting poetry, the same situation may appear differently, although nothing has changed except our perception, creating a space where the mystical, magical, or miraculous coexist, crafting a silver lining into the dark clouds of misfortune.
—K.j.s. “sunny” Anand, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Alex becomes increasingly desperate with each misfortune.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
There is, however, such a reality as too much of a good thing, even for those who imbibe in the saloon of others’ misfortune.
—Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misfortune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfortune
Noun
-
But tragedies like these also reflect the vulnerability of this refugee population – with the overall reduction in support causing a cascade effect for those already living on a knife edge of survival.—
Rebecca Wright,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Mistakes, misfortunes, even tragedy, toxic secrets from the past—anything can happen, or may have happened.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
During the 2000s, as the Dance Theatre of Harlem faced financial hardship and went on hiatus, opportunities for Black ballerinas dwindled.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The 33-year-old in the capital, Abidjan, told The Associated Press he is frustrated by hardship in the country.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Springsteen grew up alongside rock’n’roll, absorbing its origin story and waiting for the day when his ability to write a killer riff would transport him from the misery of living with a father who didn’t understand him, shut off from a world that promised so much but gave so little.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Whether the Monster is part of Ana’s imagination or not, the scene carries a fragile, haunting power, suggesting that the only person capable of rescuing Ana from the pervasive mystery and misery of her home life belongs to the supernatural, outside the punishing borders of Franco’s Spain.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misfortune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfortune. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share