un·for·tu·nate
ˌən-ˈfȯrch-nət,
-ˈfȯr-chə-
1
a
: not favored by fortune : unsuccessful, unlucky
an unfortunate young man
b
: marked or accompanied by or resulting in misfortune
an unfortunate decision
2
a
: infelicitous, unsuitable
an unfortunate choice of words
b
: deplorable, regrettable
an unfortunate lack of taste
: an unfortunate person
Examples of unfortunate in a Sentence
Adjective
She was unfortunate enough to have been chosen as an example.
an unfortunate chain of events
It's unfortunate that he couldn't be here for your birthday.
He has an unfortunate tendency to show up late.
an unfortunate choice of words
Noun
a group of poor unfortunates
Recent Examples on the Web
Manny Navarro, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Its unfortunate operator, however, couldn’t seem to find his target.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
Everyone speaks in the highest terms of Dr. Wallace and the other officers of the Asylum, as invariably kind and humane towards these unfortunates.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
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Adjective
There’s plenty of programs that have had unfortunate starts and have been able to turn things around.
—Manny Navarro, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Its unfortunate operator, however, couldn’t seem to find his target.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
That’s significant — and ironic — because Bremen were the great unfortunates within the Woltemade situation.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
Everyone speaks in the highest terms of Dr. Wallace and the other officers of the Asylum, as invariably kind and humane towards these unfortunates.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfortunate. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unfortunate
1 of 2 adjective
un·for·tu·nate
ˌən-ˈfȯrch-(ə-)nət
1
a
: not fortunate : unlucky
b
: showing, accompanied by, or resulting in misfortune
an unfortunate experience
unfortunate investments
2
a
: unsuitable, infelicitous
an unfortunate choice of words
b
: deplorable sense 1
an unfortunate lack of taste
unfortunately
adverb
unfortunate
2 of 2 noun
: an unfortunate person
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