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
Woods, prone in recent years to appearing in unfortunate headlines, is of course Woods seeking treatment following his March 27 arrest for suspicion of driving while impaired during a rollover car crash.
—
Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Although the circumstances are unfortunate, the recent partnership is a natural fit for Smith.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
That toilet has had issues during the mission, but even a half-functioning privy is better than Apollo's bathroom situation, which was super unfortunate, to say the least.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026
This is unfortunate because the toothbrush has a positive impact on the overall health of teeth and gums.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Although the circumstances are unfortunate, the recent partnership is a natural fit for Smith.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
That toilet has had issues during the mission, but even a half-functioning privy is better than Apollo's bathroom situation, which was super unfortunate, to say the least.
—Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026
This is unfortunate because the toothbrush has a positive impact on the overall health of teeth and gums.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
-
Sure, after the Epstein scandal and that disastrous interview, Andrew was forced to step down as working royal.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
12 Apr. 2026
-
McIlroy led by six strokes after 36 holes but entered Sunday tied for first after a disastrous third round.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Auriemma was apparently unhappy with the officiating in the game and the disparity in free throw shooting.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the changes, some in the Senate were still unhappy with the final iteration.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Lying in this crypt is Nathan Lane’s Willy Loman, a tragic humbug, his delusions contradicted by the ruins around him.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
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These are films that reflect the human condition through inspirational tales of struggle, tragic true stories, life-threatening conflicts, and intimate psychological portraits.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But, really, this did feel like a night when those play-off hopes were dealt a potentially fatal blow.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease causing fever, respiratory symptoms and a characteristic rash and can sometimes have severe or fatal complications, especially in young children, according to WHO.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Early warnings were dismissed before, with catastrophic consequences.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
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For a community already grappling with a $24 million budget deficit this year, the financial consequences of an additional $100 million debt are beyond catastrophic.—
John Gates,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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