ˌən-ˈfȯrch-nət
1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
an unfortunate chain of events destroyed the business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unhappy
having, prone to, or marked by bad luck
up to that point in her life she had been unfortunate in love
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress
an unfortunate choice of words that would later prove to be embarrassing for the talk show host
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of unfortunate
Wisconsin is known not only as the America's Dairyland, but also has the unfortunate reputation of being the home to a couple of high-profile American serial killers.
—
Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
But the game didn't come without a price, as the organization learned about the unfortunate injury diagnosis for running back Antonio Gibson on Monday following his departure from Sunday's game.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
In this case, the date had been held and removed from availability for 11 months before the unfortunate passing.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
The bill is known by the rather unfortunate acronym NOPE.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
But the game didn't come without a price, as the organization learned about the unfortunate injury diagnosis for running back Antonio Gibson on Monday following his departure from Sunday's game.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
In this case, the date had been held and removed from availability for 11 months before the unfortunate passing.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
The bill is known by the rather unfortunate acronym NOPE.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
-
Moulton’s Senate primary rationale, stated or otherwise, rests on the enduring public image of former President Joe Biden, who withdrew from his 2024 reelection bid after a disastrous debate against Trump revealed limitations of being in office at age 82 and beyond.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
-
No one has been sent home or saved because of a disastrous technical.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Smart, much like Georgia’s fan base, is pretty unhappy after yet another loss to Alabama.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
While there are reasons to be unhappy with the performance, each win in the NFL is hard to get.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This film largely focuses on Desai’s story – including a tragic twist at the end of his life.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
-
She's also found ways for students to help in tragic circumstances before.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But unleash the foley artists (sound designers), and the flora's dripping slime and ominous pulsing are infinitely more threatening, as a soldier learns to fatal cost later in the season.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
There were 55 students on the school bus when the fatal crash occurred, none of whom were injured, police said.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
With Dart now the starter in New York, however, Ward will need to overcome unfavorable surroundings and orchestrate a Titans turnaround to stay in the top spot.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
After an unfavorable appeals court decision in December, Nasdaq stopped mandating companies disclose their board gender and diversity stats.—
Julia Boorstin,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The exec expressed remarkably few regrets over a chapter that was, by any measure, catastrophic for the bank and the women Epstein victimized.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
-
When Gray has missed time, the results without him have been catastrophic against Miami and Texas A&M.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share