ˌən-ˈfȯrch-nət
1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
an unfortunate chain of events destroyed the business
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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
Even her recent public acknowledgment regarding the unfortunate photo editing controversy demonstrated accountability and leadership, shielding the royal family from any further backlash.
—
Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2025
Maple Leafs tie it midway through the third The Maple Leafs tied the game with 9:04 left to play off an unfortunate bounce for the Panthers.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 May 2025
The unfortunate victim of the week is Modarian, who is stabbed to death in the prison library, with a blade made out of ramen noodles (that’s not a joke).
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 9 May 2025
The new pope may or may not be a Chicago Cubs fan, which could make for some unfortunate circumstances for the Mets this weekend with the Cubs coming to Citi Field for a three-game set.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2025
Maple Leafs tie it midway through the third The Maple Leafs tied the game with 9:04 left to play off an unfortunate bounce for the Panthers.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 May 2025
The unfortunate victim of the week is Modarian, who is stabbed to death in the prison library, with a blade made out of ramen noodles (that’s not a joke).
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 9 May 2025
The new pope may or may not be a Chicago Cubs fan, which could make for some unfortunate circumstances for the Mets this weekend with the Cubs coming to Citi Field for a three-game set.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
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Physicist Matthew von Hippel looks not at the birth of the universe but at its destruction, outlining a disastrous world-ending scenario that makes asteroid strikes and Earth-colliding black holes look like kid stuff.—
Jeanna Bryner,
Scientific American,
20 May 2025
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In short, plenty of disastrous events can strike, often with little to no warning.—
Niki Jorgensen,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Their presidential candidate, Erika Meza, a 25-year veteran teacher from the Southeast Side, is unhappy with what CTU has come to symbolize.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2025
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However, the Palestinians are unhappy with the speed of FIFA’s inquiries.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Mexicans mourned the deaths of two sailors while authorities in Mexico and New York worked to unravel the mystery of the tragic crash of the Cuauhtémoc Training Ship into the Brooklyn Bridge.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
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An hour or two longer without power could have had tragic consequences.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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From cold cases cracked decades later to trials still underway, here are 18 fatal crimes that occurred at colleges and universities.—
Corin Cesaric,
People.com,
18 May 2025
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Saturday’s crash in Brooklyn was the second fatal hit-and-run in the borough in a week, cops said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Comparable sales for the quarter decreased 1.7% blamed on unfavorable weather earlier in the year, while pro and online sales grew.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
21 May 2025
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This compares to an unfavorable score of 65 percent, for those who disliked her, giving her a net approval rating of minus 45.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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