as in tragedies
bad luck or an example of this
through sheer misfortune our car got a flat tire and we were late for the ceremony our misfortunes of the last year included the loss of a beloved pet
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Recent Examples of misfortunes
What traits, decisions, or misfortunes exceed a person’s jurisdiction?
—
Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
Adamolekun took the helm of Red Lobster in August 2024 after a series of misfortunes at the once-failing casual-dining chain.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
Mistakes, misfortunes, even tragedy, toxic secrets from the past—anything can happen, or may have happened.
—Literary Hub, 24 Oct. 2025
According to local belief, sending a lantern upward helps cleanse a person’s spirit and eases their misfortunes, clearing the path for good luck in the coming year.
—Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
Amid the Mets' misfortunes, Michael Kay, a radio host and play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees, decided to weigh in.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Unimaginable misfortunes have the Ravens in this precarious situation, and certainly could continue.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The party’s misfortunes appear even greater in the context of its landslide victory in July last year, which delivered it a sizable majority in parliament.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
The Mets aren't afraid to open their wallet for a chance to win, and with their pitching misfortunes lately, might go above and beyond to bring Valdez to the Big Apple.
—Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
Adamolekun took the helm of Red Lobster in August 2024 after a series of misfortunes at the once-failing casual-dining chain.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
Mistakes, misfortunes, even tragedy, toxic secrets from the past—anything can happen, or may have happened.
—Literary Hub, 24 Oct. 2025
According to local belief, sending a lantern upward helps cleanse a person’s spirit and eases their misfortunes, clearing the path for good luck in the coming year.
—Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
Amid the Mets' misfortunes, Michael Kay, a radio host and play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees, decided to weigh in.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Unimaginable misfortunes have the Ravens in this precarious situation, and certainly could continue.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The party’s misfortunes appear even greater in the context of its landslide victory in July last year, which delivered it a sizable majority in parliament.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
The Mets aren't afraid to open their wallet for a chance to win, and with their pitching misfortunes lately, might go above and beyond to bring Valdez to the Big Apple.
—Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfortunes
Noun
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Different tragedies, but the same grief for a community betrayed by the people who were supposed to protect and serve.—
Jennifer Brooks,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The book captures powerfully the rich possibilities that lie between integrity and despair, as Sybil reckons with the fallout of her life’s tragedies.—
Shruti Mutalik,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Among community theaters forced to close due to financial hardships was the nearby Artisan Center Theater in Hurst.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Some successes, and many hardships.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Its closest competitor, Air India, has been dealing with troubles of its own.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
-
And God Created Woman, but in recent years, Bardot sparked controversy due to some of her more troubling opinions and faced legal troubles over racist and xenophobic comments.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Ensure your slow cooker and its wiring are in good condition to prevent any electrical mishaps.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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About Time The time-traveling main character in this film uses his powers to go back in time to fix a New Year's Eve kiss, as well as many other mishaps throughout the course of his life.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
When a series of romantic misadventures (in the forms of The Ex and The Host) befall our hero, love takes her miles off course.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
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The echoes of past American misadventures are unmistakable.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misfortunes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfortunes. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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