Synonym Chooser

How does the noun misfortune differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of misfortune are adversity, mischance, and mishap. While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress.

never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

When might adversity be a better fit than misfortune?

The words adversity and misfortune are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune.

had never experienced great adversity

When could mischance be used to replace misfortune?

Although the words mischance and misfortune have much in common, mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance.

took the wrong road by mischance

When can mishap be used instead of misfortune?

While the synonyms mishap and misfortune are close in meaning, mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck.

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

Example Sentences

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 misfortune For some, however, the misfortune of others prompts them to unleash the most vile and abhorrent of screeds. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 8 July 2025 If things take a turn, then every 20-something-year-old in Austin will know about your romantic misfortunes. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 One of the great misfortunes of human life is the fact that much of it is spent in a constant state of worry. Tomris Laffly, Variety, 10 June 2025 When a child is harmed, her parent, in scrambling to make sense of her family’s sorrow and misfortune, may settle on blaming the person closest at hand. Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for misfortune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfortune
Noun
  • But my instinct tells me that Arne Slot and his players will develop an even closer bond in the wake of the Jota tragedy and, with the help of some outstanding signings, retain the title.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2025
  • The council additionally issued a two-day state of mourning in response to the tragedy, per a statement shared on Aug. 9.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Colvin’s perseverance through these hardships captured media attention and was eventually portrayed in the major motion picture, When the Game Stands Tall.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • As shared by the team on social media, the Fever went out and signed Odyssey Sims to a hardship contract following the most recent injuries.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Nothing was achieved except more misery for the region at the hands of Hamas and its allies.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
  • The question of whether there is hunger is different from the question of who is responsible for the misery.
    Seth Mandel, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Misfortune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfortune. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on misfortune

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