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
An unfortunate own goal from Yazan Al Arab and a late Marko Arnautovic penalty sealed the three points for Austria.
—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
This is unfortunate because the ability of science to make a meaningful difference in the world is accelerating.
—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Rinsing them thoroughly helps keep these unfortunate extras off your plate, and also improves the flavor and texture of the peaches by removing any unwanted grit.
—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
Or, to go even further back, Three's Company favorites Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt, whose friendship ended under unfortunate professional circumstances.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
This is unfortunate because the ability of science to make a meaningful difference in the world is accelerating.
—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Rinsing them thoroughly helps keep these unfortunate extras off your plate, and also improves the flavor and texture of the peaches by removing any unwanted grit.
—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
Or, to go even further back, Three's Company favorites Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt, whose friendship ended under unfortunate professional circumstances.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
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Labour has teetered on the edge of one for weeks after those disastrous local election results, and only Burnham’s inability to run before now seems to have delayed one.
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On Monday night, David Remnick interviewed Hillary Rodham Clinton for a live taping of The New Yorker Radio Hour, where the former First Lady spoke plainly about Joe Biden and the disastrous 2024 election.
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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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.
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Her lawyer alleges that postpartum mental health issues caused the tragic result that night.
Adjective
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The fatal attack came 16 days later.
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Detectives identified James Goodman, 39, and Devinae Mitchell, 26, both of Hercules, as suspects in the fatal shooting, police said.
Adjective
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During The Great Dying, massive volcanic eruptions triggered catastrophic climate changes that altered the planet’s entire biosphere.
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Only the United States was humiliated; both countries have experienced a catastrophic loss.
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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