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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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
Those past two years look bad, sure, but consider the Sparks, who’ve been unlucky and oft-injured, yes, and limited by the WNBA’s 12-player roster cap – were entering a rebuild after Derek Fisher’s dismal final two years.
—
Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 18 May 2025
But things get gory for the many cicadas that are unlucky enough to be infected by the deadly fungal parasite Massospora cicadina.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2025
On day four, one part of the men’s draw suffered a blood bath, Danielle Collins asked for the supervisor and a former finalist got unlucky for the second year in a row.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Over half of them may still lurk in the ground, waiting for unlucky people or vehicles to set them off.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 18 May 2025
But things get gory for the many cicadas that are unlucky enough to be infected by the deadly fungal parasite Massospora cicadina.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2025
On day four, one part of the men’s draw suffered a blood bath, Danielle Collins asked for the supervisor and a former finalist got unlucky for the second year in a row.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Over half of them may still lurk in the ground, waiting for unlucky people or vehicles to set them off.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unlucky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlucky
Adjective
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An unfortunate series of events in the eighth inning led to the Brewers going up 3-1.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2025
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The polished old pro bent time and space, keeping the unfortunate new work to a minimum and running through his hits, reliving, nearly chronologically, the thrill of experiencing his catalog all over again at a speed run.—
Abe Beame,
Rolling Stone,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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The freaky period piece and tragic family drama features Anja Taylor-Joy as a troubled 17th-century teen on the cusp of adulthood who goes down a dark path and Black Phillip as the G.O.A.T. of hellish goats. 23.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
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Defense attorney Brian Stevens said Ullrich was the victim of a tragic upbringing and addiction, while Assistant State’s Attorney Ashley Romito and Special Prosecutor William Bruce had castigated the parents for leaving their son to die.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Additionally, the more fiscally conservative Senate is increasingly unhappy with the cost of the bill, which is estimated to add $3.1 trillion to the deficit over the next decade.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Trump is unhappy with Musk’s outburst, but Republicans are downplaying the effect on their agenda bill Trump confirmed their relationship has soured, with Musk repeatedly blasting the president’s sweeping domestic agenda bill in recent days and a public fight on social media on Thursday.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unlucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlucky. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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