unfortunate

adjective

ˌən-ˈfȯrch-nət
Definition of unfortunatenext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unfortunate This was an unfortunate twist of fate for a lifelong supporter of women’s rights. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026 Carrie Ann Inaba wants to clear the air amid her Dancing With the Stars lift drama and unfortunate situation with Val Chmerkovskiy. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Oct. 2026 For many people, however, the presentation instead bears an uncanny and unfortunate resemblance to imagery used in Nazi-era Germany. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 The Giannis Antetokounmpo era is off to an unfortunate start, as the Heat is 0-2 to start a season for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
  1. disastrous
  2. unhappy
  3. tragic
  4. fatal
  5. catastrophic
Adjective
  • Prolonged pump stoppages could lead to a disastrous local scenario of ruptured water supply, district heating, and sewage pipes, even if electricity remains available elsewhere in the country.
    — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Yet, the Royals are sitting at home after a disastrous 69-93 campaign.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of disastrous
Adjective
  • The electorate is frustrated and unhappy Voters were sour heading into Tuesday, with the midterm electorate deeply unhappy with the country’s direction and pessimistic about the future, according to The AP Voter Poll.
    — Jill Colvin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Voting is the only way out for anyone who’s unhappy with a government headed toward authoritarianism.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • The trio also discussed the mental turmoil among Latino youth, highlighting the recent tragic suicides of Samuel Gonzalez Terrones and Xavier Nungaray-Martinez.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The boom in vaccine-preventable outbreaks, cases, and tragic deaths is being fueled by slipping vaccination rates nationwide as health misinformation and anti-vaccine sentiments have taken hold.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of tragic
Adjective
  • Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can be fatal in humans if treatment is not received before symptoms develop.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The driver of the pickup truck was found unresponsive with fatal injuries and pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel, police said.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of fatal
Adjective
  • In recent years, insurance companies have restricted business and shed large numbers of policies following catastrophic wildfires and fears about more in the future.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In September, about 70 Americans remained unaccounted for following catastrophic flooding along the Nepal-China border, while 18 Americans had been confirmed safe, Fox News Digital previously reported.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of catastrophic

Browse Nearby Words

unforthcoming
unfortunate
unfortunately
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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