ILL-STARRED Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

ill-starred

adjective

ˈil-ˈstärd

Definition of ill-starred

as in unhappy

having, prone to, or marked by bad luck an ill-starred attempt to circumnavigate the earth in a balloon

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill-starred

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

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

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

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Browse Nearby Words

ills

ill-starred

ill-tempered

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“Ill-starred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-starred. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of ill-starred

adjective

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