misadventure

noun

mis·​ad·​ven·​ture ˌmi-səd-ˈven-chər How to pronounce misadventure (audio)

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
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.
One of the primary drivers of the MAGA movement was the fallout of America’s misadventure in Iraq. Massimo Calabresi, Time, 26 June 2025 Israel has no appetite for repeating America’s or Russia’s misadventures based on old paradigms of warfare. David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 The American public rightly has no appetite for another Middle East misadventure. Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2025 The duo embark on a series of wild misadventures, with Turk’s extreme coaching tactics pushing Bob into increasingly unpredictable and outrageous situations. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for misadventure

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of misadventure was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misadventure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misadventure. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

misadventure

noun
mis·​ad·​ven·​ture ˌmis-əd-ˈven-chər How to pronounce misadventure (audio)

Legal Definition

misadventure

noun
mis·​ad·​ven·​ture ˌmi-səd-ˈven-chər How to pronounce misadventure (audio)
: an accident that causes serious injury or death to a person and that does not involve negligence, wrongful purpose, or unlawful conduct

More from Merriam-Webster on misadventure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!