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
In unfortunate irony for the Kings, Westbrook scored a basket on the play, which pushed him past Oscar Robertson (26,710) as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer at the point guard position.
—
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Greg McElroy had an unfortunate slip of the tongue during his College Football Playoff broadcast Thursday night.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
That's an unfortunate way to end the year.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
The strong low pressure system is approaching with unfortunate timing, just as some of the highest astronomical tides of the year arrive along the Pacific Coast through the weekend.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Greg McElroy had an unfortunate slip of the tongue during his College Football Playoff broadcast Thursday night.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
That's an unfortunate way to end the year.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
The strong low pressure system is approaching with unfortunate timing, just as some of the highest astronomical tides of the year arrive along the Pacific Coast through the weekend.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
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The spotlight increased after a disastrous interview with CBS to promote the legendary coach’s book.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Second goal breaks Charlotte’s back The second half opened with a disastrous sequence for Charlotte.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This is a no-win situation because one of us will end up unhappy.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The automaker spent much of the year undoing decisions made by the previous CEO, Carlos Tavares, who resigned at the end of 2024, as stakeholders in the company — from dealers to union rank and file — were upset with him and unhappy with his leadership.—
Liam Rappleye,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In his first interview since the tragic events in May, Cacique, a Spanish nickname given to a local boss, said the turncoats hoped to receive a reward for the capture of Robert Colina, whose alias was Pantera, Spanish for panther.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott joined the rest of his teammates in having a tough day Thursday after learning of the tragic death of defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland, who took his own life at the end of a police chase in Frisco.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Several hundred protesters gathered at First Ward Park on Thursday night in response to Wednesday’s fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
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John Mulaney has postponed three upcoming shows in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.—
Amy McCarthy,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Minutes away from his position in Arcadia, reports indicated a fire had started in approximately the same place where, in 1993, another fire had brought about catastrophic consequences.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
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Stand looking out from the wide intersection of East Mariposa Street and Lake Avenue for one potent, representative view of Altadena a year after the catastrophic Eaton fire.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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