misadventure

noun

mis·​ad·​ven·​ture ˌmi-səd-ˈven-chər 

: misfortune, mishap

Synonyms of misadventure

• misfortune
• tragedy

Examples of misadventure in a Sentence

His vacation turned into a series of misadventures.

a string of financial misadventures eventually left him broke

Recent Examples on the Web

What follows is a ridiculous hourlong romp through history, taking us everywhere from the Garden of Eden with Coco's gal pal Eve to some misadventures involving Napoleon. — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

His mute misadventures are the purest expression of animation’s freedom to do and draw anything. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

The contest wasn’t the first time misadventures in left field have led to runs against the Jays. — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Washington’s misadventure was not an aberration so much as the ultimate expression of the inherent vice of its Middle East strategy. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mesaventure, from Anglo-French, from mesavenir to turn out badly, from mes- mis- + avenir to happen, from Latin advenire — more at adventure

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing misadventure

• death by misadventure

Rhymes for misadventure

• peradventure
• adventure
• debenture
• indenture
• bencher
• denture
• quencher
• trencher
• venture

Kids Definition

misadventure

noun

mis·​ad·​ven·​ture ˌmis-əd-ˈven-chər 

: misfortune sense 2

Legal Definition

misadventure

noun

mis·​ad·​ven·​ture ˌmi-səd-ˈven-chər 

: an accident that causes serious injury or death to a person and that does not involve negligence, wrongful purpose, or unlawful conduct