1
as in unfortunate
having, prone to, or marked by bad luck
the unlucky campers had rain all week I'm so unlucky I don't bother to play the lottery an unlucky throw of the dice
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress
the settlers made the unlucky decision to cross the dangerous mountain pass in the middle of winter
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Recent Examples of unlucky
Some prisoners were doubtless guilty of some offense; others were simply unlucky in birth or circumstance.
—
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
Garrard noted that Queen Alexandra, who considered opals unlucky, later replaced them with rubies.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 4 Dec. 2025
There is a lovely scene between Claire and her oldest daughter, Channing, who is so put together with her own family of two kids and an awkward husband, that most of her mom’s attention goes to the unlucky-in-love man-child son and her loved addicted sister.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 2 Dec. 2025
The Patriots are one of four unlucky teams with the NFL’s latest bye week.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025
Garrard noted that Queen Alexandra, who considered opals unlucky, later replaced them with rubies.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 4 Dec. 2025
There is a lovely scene between Claire and her oldest daughter, Channing, who is so put together with her own family of two kids and an awkward husband, that most of her mom’s attention goes to the unlucky-in-love man-child son and her loved addicted sister.
—Katie Grant, Parents, 2 Dec. 2025
The Patriots are one of four unlucky teams with the NFL’s latest bye week.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlucky
Adjective
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In retrospect, the right move, Bulls coach Billy Donovan said, even with the unfortunate scheduling outcome.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
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But Bloom’s legacy has had the unfortunate effect of making even more reasonable canon defenses look reactionary.—
Colton Valentine,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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With the help of his family, a comedy writer battles PTSD after the tragic death of his sister.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
22 Jan. 2026
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An acclaimed documentary about late Colorado poet Andrea Gibson, and a new narrative feature inspired by a Denver family’s tragic loss, are leading the state’s film buzz this week with an Oscar nod and Sundance premiere, respectively.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Domingo Morel, a professor at New York University who studies state takeovers of local schools, said most local residents wind up unhappy with the methods used by state interventionists and the results.—
Bri Hatch,
Chalkbeat,
26 Jan. 2026
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Audrey, the single and childless and PhD-less product of a stable but unhappy home, has fallen short of the life planned out for her by her parents.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Vasyanovych plays Roman, a luckless director who’s out of work and trying to shoot his latest film in a country whose dwindling population is still traumatized by the war.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlucky. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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