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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill-starred

Adjective

The electorate is frustrated and unhappy Voters were sour heading into Tuesday, with the midterm electorate deeply unhappy with the country’s direction and pessimistic about the future, according to The AP Voter Poll.

— Jill Colvin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Voting is the only way out for anyone who’s unhappy with a government headed toward authoritarianism.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

The unfortunate truth is, most of them have lowered their standards in admissions and education.

— Ian Kingsbury, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
Just ask this unfortunate Alaskan bear recently spotted with several multi-foot long tapeworms hanging out of its butt.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfortunate

Adjective

Prolonged pump stoppages could lead to a disastrous local scenario of ruptured water supply, district heating, and sewage pipes, even if electricity remains available elsewhere in the country.

— Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
Yet, the Royals are sitting at home after a disastrous 69-93 campaign.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of disastrous

Adjective

During these walking meditations my notebook starts to feel suspiciously similar to the luckless young climber’s selfie camera.

— Brian Laidlaw, Longreads, 1 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of luckless

Adjective

Instead of forcing plot onto his amorously hapless characters, Shaw explores leitmotifs in a playful, contrapuntal fashion.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
The surprising loss to the Commanders was followed by a win over the hapless LA Chargers, then two frustrating losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos in overtime.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 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 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of ill-starred

adjective

Example Sentences

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