as in tragedy
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of misfortune
Others think leaving it up past New Year's Day brings misfortune for the year.
—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
Lessons have been learned in the subsequent decades from the mistakes and misfortune of Yuba City on Christmas Eve, 1955.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025
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
In the Denis Johnson novella the film is based on, that co-worker is a Chinese laborer accused of theft; Grainier tries to help kill him and believes that all his misfortune afterward is due to being cursed by the man, who escapes.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misfortune
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
Lessons have been learned in the subsequent decades from the mistakes and misfortune of Yuba City on Christmas Eve, 1955.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025
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
In the Denis Johnson novella the film is based on, that co-worker is a Chinese laborer accused of theft; Grainier tries to help kill him and believes that all his misfortune afterward is due to being cursed by the man, who escapes.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misfortune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfortune
Noun
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Reactions to this tragedy from friends on social media align completely with their political persuasions.—
Gwen Faulkenberry,
Arkansas Online,
15 Jan. 2026
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Thirasak Wongsoongnern, a member of staff on the train, told local media outlet Thairath Online, that the train had been traveling at around 74mph when the tragedy occurred, according to the BBC.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Merriam-Webster defines it as the description of someone or something in a state of possibly irreversible misfortune and hardship.—
Brenda Looper,
Washington Post,
8 Jan. 2026
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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
Noun
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Others though, like benzodiazepines, have wildly missed the mark, causing decades of unintended consequences and human misery.—
Thomas Goetz,
STAT,
8 Jan. 2026
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Instead of getting used to the smells, her misery intensified with each passing day.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misfortune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfortune. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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