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
Where Bed Bugs Lurk In Hotel Rooms Bed bugs are an unfortunate risk of staying at a hotel.
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Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 June 2026
The injury was an unfortunate occurrence in his World Cup debut and could affect Sweden’s chances going forward.
—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 June 2026
The mini-slump in Eugene coincides with the aforementioned downturn in Spokane to create an unfortunate stretch for college basketball in the Pacific Northwest.
—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2026
Which is sometimes a little bit unfortunate in the business.
—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 June 2026
The injury was an unfortunate occurrence in his World Cup debut and could affect Sweden’s chances going forward.
—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 June 2026
The mini-slump in Eugene coincides with the aforementioned downturn in Spokane to create an unfortunate stretch for college basketball in the Pacific Northwest.
—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2026
Which is sometimes a little bit unfortunate in the business.
—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
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The loss of experience and military brainpower had disastrous consequences, especially in Russian lives lost, during the Winter War against Finland and the early stages of World War II against Nazi Germany.
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Some prominent Democrats are warning that Mamdani’s success could spell doom for their party in November, arguing that what works in New York City would be disastrous in the heartland.
Adjective
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Isdin Melatonik If traditional retinoids have left your sensitive skin unhappy, Isdin's Melatonik Recovery Night Serum offers a gentler approach with bakuchiol.
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Brown and the Celtics have both since denied speculation that the 29-year-old second-team All-NBA selection was unhappy with his role in Boston.
Adjective
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Kara isn’t the only superhero with a tragic origin story – but unlike, say, that guy who dresses up as a bat and fights crime after the deaths of his mom and dad, Kara hits up a dive bar and plays with her dog to cope.
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Following the tragic incident, Aiden has been remembered for his kindness and intense drive.
Adjective
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The fatal hit-and-run occurred less than two hours after a 13-year-old boy was killed riding on the back of a moped in Queens after his friend slammed into an open car door and then careened into a moving truck.
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The highest number of fatal attacks, the study found, occurred after high-risk behaviors, including deliberately entering waterways known to contain alligators.
Adjective
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On the narrow question of AI’s most catastrophic risks, the major powers are beginning to agree.
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Preexisting callus consistent with a repetitive stress injury leading to a catastrophic musculoskeletal failure.
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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