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
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Many similar blunders have been recorded in years past, including arguably the worst example, a disastrous decision three decades ago to overhaul how electricity was produced, distributed and priced.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
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This is disastrous and very concerning for the future of San Diego, which is going to lose jobs at an unparalleled pace given the presence of artificial intelligence.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Fast-forward to the April 7 special election brought to a ballot by residents unhappy with the changes.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
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One of them, Amy, a blond child with limp ponytails and a thin dress that looks like it might have been stained, stands outside a porch door, her fists balled up, mouth open, angry or unhappy or both.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Twelve unique individuals recount their lives leading up to and during the tragic events of 9/11.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
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Trotter's tragic death came just months after his son, Giovanni, became cancer free in October, according to Daily Voice.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, is scheduled to received a lethal injection for his conviction in the fatal beating and choking of his 13-year-old niece.—
David Fischer,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Tuesday announced a criminal investigation into OpenAI’s ChatGPT, due to concerns that the platform aided the suspect accused of carrying out a fatal school shooting in the state.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Though not as big or catastrophic as the asteroid theorized to have wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago, Apophis would cause widespread destruction up to several hundred kilometers from its impact site.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
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Through skilled diplomacy, a catastrophic war was avoided.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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