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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Recent Examples of misfortune
According to Chinese beliefs, any action that could sweep away luck or invite misfortune should be avoided.
—
Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 17 Feb. 2026
According to reporting by The New York Times, births in 1966 fell sharply amid a belief that girls born in a Fire Horse year would bring misfortune to their future husbands.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Florentino Perez, long-serving president of the record 15-time European Cup/Champions League winners, has little patience for long-term projects or planning, and no time for excuses or mitigating factors such as injuries or misfortune.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Jackie disapproves of John’s attempt to join an industry that has profited from their misfortune for decades.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misfortune
Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 17 Feb. 2026
According to reporting by The New York Times, births in 1966 fell sharply amid a belief that girls born in a Fire Horse year would bring misfortune to their future husbands.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Florentino Perez, long-serving president of the record 15-time European Cup/Champions League winners, has little patience for long-term projects or planning, and no time for excuses or mitigating factors such as injuries or misfortune.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Jackie disapproves of John’s attempt to join an industry that has profited from their misfortune for decades.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misfortune
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfortune
Noun
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This tragedy has affected each and every one of us.—
Michael James,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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One year after their deaths, those closest to Hackman and Arakawa say their legacy is not defined by tragedy, but by devotion — a partnership rooted in privacy, dignity and a love story that endured long after Hollywood faded from view.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Dardennes-esque vérité portrait of lives careening from loss and economic hardship won two awards at the Sundance Film Festival that year — including Best Director for Hammer — and received multiple Film Independent Spirit and Gotham award nominations.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
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The very fact that Macclesfield as a club is even in business is nothing short of miraculous given the financial hardship the 6th-tier club in North-West England has faced over the years.—
Patrick Snell,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Pecola responds to her misery by trying to undo herself.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
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Sought book on prosecutorial misconduct In the bulk of his conversations, Nathan detailed the misery of jail life.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misfortune.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfortune. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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