as in unfortunate
having, prone to, or marked by bad luck
Romeo and Juliet are among literature's most famous star-crossed lovers
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Recent Examples of star-crossed
Meanwhile, star-crossed lovers Ellen (Harriet Slater) and Brian (Jamie Roy) managed to plot an escape of their own — but not before getting some major blood on their hands.
—
Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
The star-crossed tend to double down on superstition.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Lesbian star-crossed lovers à la Bonnie and Clyde?
—Quispe López, Them., 29 Aug. 2025
The duo play star-crossed BFFs in the epic romance, which Goldstein co-wrote with William Bridges.
—Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
So ends one of the most controversial and star-crossed investigations in history.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Flashback: Boeing's Starliner was star-crossed even before the inaugural crewed mission earlier this year.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024
Few Olympic teams in any sport have had to rebound more times or overcome adversity more often than the U.S. women’s water polo team, the most successful in the world in the pool and the most star-crossed outside it.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024
The attraction between the star-crossed, cross-cultural couple is electric and propulsive, lasting for years with unmitigated intensity.
—Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
The star-crossed tend to double down on superstition.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Lesbian star-crossed lovers à la Bonnie and Clyde?
—Quispe López, Them., 29 Aug. 2025
The duo play star-crossed BFFs in the epic romance, which Goldstein co-wrote with William Bridges.
—Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
So ends one of the most controversial and star-crossed investigations in history.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Flashback: Boeing's Starliner was star-crossed even before the inaugural crewed mission earlier this year.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024
Few Olympic teams in any sport have had to rebound more times or overcome adversity more often than the U.S. women’s water polo team, the most successful in the world in the pool and the most star-crossed outside it.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024
The attraction between the star-crossed, cross-cultural couple is electric and propulsive, lasting for years with unmitigated intensity.
—Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for star-crossed
Adjective
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This is unfortunate, because part of what makes Moose Jaw historically significant is that the opposite of what is claimed at the Tunnels is true.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Oct. 2025
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This current injury sounds like something that is a result of something unfortunate away from the game, which is why everyone is being so cryptic.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Following Dombrowski’s comments and his belief that Harper is unhappy with his current contract situation, Sherman opened the door to a potential offseason trade that sends Harper elsewhere.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
People who will be sent there include those who let their poor unhappy doggies bark endlessly, those who throw trash on the beach and those who hunt exotic animals for sport.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Vasyanovych plays Roman, a luckless director who’s out of work and trying to shoot his latest film in a country whose dwindling population is still traumatized by the war.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Since the election, Democrats have worked to recruit candidates and relay messaging with the goal of resonating with voters after a disastrous 2024.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Report Despite a disastrous start to the season, the Ravens hope to turn around their fortunes by beating a Bears team on a four-game winning streak.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The game of the year in the Mountain West turned into a dud, thanks to UNLV’s hapless defense.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The film follows Caiden (Smith), a hapless fitness enthusiast who moves to Los Angeles dreaming of becoming a trainer, only to be diverted by Randy (Krumholtz), an opportunistic Hollywood Boulevard grifter who exploits his likeness to the world’s most famous superhero.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Kevin Gausman took the hard-luck loss after allowing two runs on three hits over 5.2 innings.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Leiter took a hard-luck loss for his gem as the Yankees wrapped up the title.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Star-crossed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/star-crossed. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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