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

Most cooking misadventures can be avoided altogether by simply knowing what is in store. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2026

Trump’s Arch will commemorate his overnight mugging of Venezuela and his colossal misadventures in Iran. — Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026

For all of the franchise’s misadventures, the Mets — led by ones who were there for that sad September in 2001 — get this right. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

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

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