ILL-FATED Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

ill-fated

adjective

ˈil-ˈfā-təd

Definition of ill-fated

as in unfortunate

having, prone to, or marked by bad luck the ill-fated trip ended in disaster for all

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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 ill-fated So, where will Season 2 take us, Mayor Tom Loftis, and the rest of this wonderfully funny and spectacularly ill-fated island community? — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 June 2026 What the Pentagon Papers revealed is that the American government had reason to know all along that the venture was ill-fated. — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 The series then retreats to 2019 to trace the circumstances that led to these killings, building toward the inevitability of Maggie and Paul’s death and filtering the whole family through a lens of catastrophe, where every member is either ill-fated or devious. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025 That plan proved ill-fated, however, when he got caught trying to bribe a city official. — Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ill-fated

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill-fated

Adjective

But Michael Pentecost, a Royse City resident who was not at the swimming pool, called the situation unfortunate.

— Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
This unfortunate incident significantly complicates FC Barcelona's squad planning.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of unfortunate

Adjective

So this became, like, a collective therapy session for everyone unhappy with the government.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Their heated exchange on the field lasted more than two minutes, with Jones unhappy that Szoboszlai had given the captain’s armband to Tsimikas rather than him when the Hungary midfielder was substituted 13 minutes from time.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

After a disastrous road trip and traumatic trade deadline, Washington earned a feel-good victory.

— Noah White, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2026
After a disastrous stint in Carolina and a one-year return to coaching as Stanford’s interim coach in 2025, Frank Reich arrived with a fresh perspective as the Jets’ offensive coordinator.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of disastrous

Adjective

Most glaring is the disparity between the top-tier clinical protocols and the logistics, which are more hapless than flawless.

— Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2026
Despite Sarah’s flapping her cardigan in the air like a hungover color-guard girl at a homecoming parade, the hapless Irish naval men sent to save her remained beyond the bobbing waves.

— Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of hapless

Adjective

This year, the final was between Kerry, historically the sport’s most successful side, and Mayo, one of Ireland’s smaller counties by population and, in football terms, the most luckless.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026
The one in which his tiny team of negotiators surrendered to the radicals ruling that luckless nation.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026

Definition of luckless

Browse Nearby Words

illegitimate

ill-fated

ill-favored

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Style

“Ill-fated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-fated. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ill-fated

adjective

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