ˌən-ˈfȯrch-nət
1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
an unfortunate chain of events destroyed the business
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unhappy
having, prone to, or marked by bad luck
up to that point in her life she had been unfortunate in love
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress
an unfortunate choice of words that would later prove to be embarrassing for the talk show host
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfortunate
The various city or state or MTA (or combined) intervention efforts have been doing a very commendable job of finding our unfortunate neighbors on the streets or the subways who are acting in ways that are dangerous to themselves or others.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025
That reference to unspecified warmongers hewed to her unfortunate pattern of spreading conspiracy theories.
—Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 17 Aug. 2025
My heart and soul lies in those types of stories [about] the people who are truly disadvantaged, the people who are true victims of society, who then lash out in very unfortunate and terrible ways.
—Max Gao, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025
The erosion of congressional power is an unfortunate development that predates Trump.
—David M. Drucker, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025
That reference to unspecified warmongers hewed to her unfortunate pattern of spreading conspiracy theories.
—Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 17 Aug. 2025
My heart and soul lies in those types of stories [about] the people who are truly disadvantaged, the people who are true victims of society, who then lash out in very unfortunate and terrible ways.
—Max Gao, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025
The erosion of congressional power is an unfortunate development that predates Trump.
—David M. Drucker, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
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This came after multiple failures in recent years — including three disastrous explosions in 2025 alone.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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Meanwhile, Russia is having a disastrous harvest despite being an agricultural powerhouse, putting further pressure on the economy and the Kremlin’s finances.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And a surprising amount of grace from staff who, although unhappy with the changes, felt respected.—
Taazima Kala,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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The Heat, at the time, wanted to dump Lowry — who was unhappy about his diminished role — and believed Rozier would give Miami an offensive infusion.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And, of course, no amount of sporting success will ever make people forget the tragic events of 2005.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
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While there's plenty of tragic moments on Outlander: Blood of My Blood, the fourth episode of the Starz series is marked by a real-life loss.—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published,
EW.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Peacock 'Sharp Corner' This unsettling thriller features Ben Foster as a man who becomes overly obsessed with the fatal car crashes that happen at a sharp corner in the road in front of his new home.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
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The brother of an Indian truck driver charged in a fatal Florida turnpike crash has been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), officials announced on Thursday.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In the spring, however, unfavorable headlines surrounded Belichick’s relationship with Hudson, who acts as his advisor and publicist.—
Jason Clinkscales,
Sportico.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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The rocket was filled with millions of pounds of propellant and set to launch when SpaceX, around 8:00 p.m. ET, opted to call off the day's launch and turn the operation into a launch rehearsal, considering the weather forecast would remain unfavorable throughout the launch window.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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