as in sadly
by bad fortune or luck
Unfortunately, you've just missed her.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 unfortunately
And unfortunately, vacuuming isn’t enough.
—
Alora Bopray, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Perhaps unfortunately for Flagg, some ROY voters probably tuned out the Mavericks during this 4-24 late-season skid, but according to the betting platform Kalshi, Knueppel’s percentage lead dipped from 60%-40% to start this week to 52%-46% on Wednesday.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
The team continued to apply pressure to the Royals, but unfortunately, was unable to find the equalizer, as Utah took the 2-1 decision.
—Riley Rourke, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Many of these songs have unfortunately become more relevant today, with the atrocities committed against innocent civilians in conflicts around the world, to the extrajudicial killing of Americans at home.
—Christina Hioureas, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunately
Alora Bopray, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Perhaps unfortunately for Flagg, some ROY voters probably tuned out the Mavericks during this 4-24 late-season skid, but according to the betting platform Kalshi, Knueppel’s percentage lead dipped from 60%-40% to start this week to 52%-46% on Wednesday.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
The team continued to apply pressure to the Royals, but unfortunately, was unable to find the equalizer, as Utah took the 2-1 decision.
—Riley Rourke, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Many of these songs have unfortunately become more relevant today, with the atrocities committed against innocent civilians in conflicts around the world, to the extrajudicial killing of Americans at home.
—Christina Hioureas, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unfortunately
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunately
Adverb
-
Raffles London at The OWO’s interiors impresario Thierry Despont sadly died this summer, before the final unveiling of his oeuvre.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But, this is sadly a highly attractive spot for dirt, dust, and dead bugs to collect.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Their answer to having to tolerate difference is whatever means are necessary to stop liberalization, and lamentably, our Bill of Rights and governmental checks on the executive mean that taking a jack hammer to our nation’s foundation is a necessary means to a repugnant end.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunately.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunately. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
