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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfortunate
From a timing and tactical perspective, his arrival was unfortunate, with Sturm Graz pushing for the league.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Even after the unfortunate incidents of 1776, many Americans, including George Washington, still looked to the college back in London for validation.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
This series of unfortunate events, and a chance encounter with the actor Tom Hulce, sealed it.
—Marlow Stern, Variety, 8 June 2026
Happily, that education came at the expense of others who had unfortunate encounters, mostly by surprising skunks around their home.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Even after the unfortunate incidents of 1776, many Americans, including George Washington, still looked to the college back in London for validation.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
This series of unfortunate events, and a chance encounter with the actor Tom Hulce, sealed it.
—Marlow Stern, Variety, 8 June 2026
Happily, that education came at the expense of others who had unfortunate encounters, mostly by surprising skunks around their home.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
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This study marks the first to use that data to model climate as rising temperatures are expected to fuel more disastrous events, from marine heat waves that kill coral to droughts.—
Jenny Staletovich,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
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The next two decades were mostly disastrous.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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The European Commission froze billions of euros in funds for Hungary in response to democratic backsliding led by Orbán, and concern lingers about the damage that can be done when one unhappy government insists on wielding its veto.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
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Social media is making children unhappy and is designed to be addictive, Starmer said at a press conference.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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Alexander Davis, 34, of North Carolina, was a weapon systems officer for the 419th Flight Test Squadron, and had flown B-52 missions for years before the tragic crash that claimed his life.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
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Her lawyer alleges that postpartum mental health issues caused the tragic result that night.—
Kristina Rex,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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Drug dealers mix fentanyl, because of its potency and low cost, with other drugs including heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, which increases the likelihood of a fatal dose, according to the DEA.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
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Other fatal skydiving crashes in Missouri Sunday’s crash was at least the fourth deadly skydiving incident in Missouri since 1998.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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During The Great Dying, massive volcanic eruptions triggered catastrophic climate changes that altered the planet’s entire biosphere.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
18 June 2026
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Only the United States was humiliated; both countries have experienced a catastrophic loss.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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