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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfortunate
The late-game meltdown in Charlottesville was unfortunate but hardly unexpected.
—
Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Herbs, who began running in high school and has since completed nine marathons, was running the Maine Coast Marathon when things started to take an unfortunate turn.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Regardless of Friday’s outcome, and despite Bay FC’s last victory coming 4 ½ months ago, outgoing Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya found reason to put a positive spin on another unfortunate result for his club.
—Jon Becker, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
The Prince of Pennsylvania is a thoroughly contrived and mediocre comedy, featuring Reeves with an incredibly unfortunate haircut.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Herbs, who began running in high school and has since completed nine marathons, was running the Maine Coast Marathon when things started to take an unfortunate turn.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Regardless of Friday’s outcome, and despite Bay FC’s last victory coming 4 ½ months ago, outgoing Bay FC coach Albertin Montoya found reason to put a positive spin on another unfortunate result for his club.
—Jon Becker, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
The Prince of Pennsylvania is a thoroughly contrived and mediocre comedy, featuring Reeves with an incredibly unfortunate haircut.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
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Having Bregman was and is still important, but losing Devers for a disastrous package of four players (with one prospect, James Tibbs III, already traded in a separate deadline deal) cannot be followed up by then letting Bregman walk in the winter.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Gase was fired after a disastrous 2020 season.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
17 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
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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
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Some cases have had tragic consequences, such as 35-year-old Alex Taylor, who struggled with Asperger’s syndrome, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, per Rolling Stone.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
19 Oct. 2025
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Following psychic researchers in search of spirits in a New England house with a tragic past, The Haunting trades leering ghouls and jump scares for atmosphere and suggestion, cultivating a cloud of dread that hangs like a heavy blanket over audiences.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Such a slow start proved fatal to Yeovil, who went on to finish bottom of the table after being made to wait until October 26 for their first Huish Park victory at the seventh attempt.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Shortly after being taken away by paramedics, the father of Owens' four children was informed over the phone that her injury proved fatal.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The poll shows Earle-Sears with a 43 percent favorable rating versus a 46 percent unfavorable mark, while Spanberger has a 47 percent favorable rating versus a 44 percent unfavorable score.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
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Despite the unfavorable margins, sustained growth on Amazon is better than folding altogether.—
Mara Weinraub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Even environmentalists like Al Gore who once fretted about catastrophic accidents and radioactive waste are warming to the technology.—
Brad Plumer,
New York Times,
22 Oct. 2025
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That much rain over mountainous terrain in the area could trigger catastrophic flash flooding and landslides.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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