ill-starred

adjective

ˈil-ˈstärd

Synonyms of ill-starred next

: ill-fated, unlucky

an ill-starred venture

Examples of ill-starred in a Sentence

an ill-starred attempt to circumnavigate the earth in a balloon

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of ill-starred was in 1604

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

ill-sorted

ill-starred

ill-suited

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ill-starred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ill-starred. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

ill-starred

adjective

ˈil-ˈstärd

: ill-fated, unlucky

ill-starred lovers

More from Merriam-Webster

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

devise

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Popular in Wordplay

ill-starred

adjective

Synonyms

Examples of ill-starred in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition