MISCHANCE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'mischance' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mischance are adversity , misfortune , and mishap . While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance. // took the wrong road by mischance

Q: When is 'adversity' a more appropriate choice than 'mischance'?

The meanings of adversity and mischance largely overlap; however, adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune. // had never experienced great adversity

Q: In what contexts can 'misfortune' take the place of 'mischance'?

In some situations, the words misfortune and mischance are roughly equivalent. However, misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress. // never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

Q: When could 'mishap' be used to replace 'mischance'?

The words mishap and mischance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck. // the usual mishaps of a family vacation

mischance

noun

ˌmis-ˈchan(t)s

Definition of mischance next

as in accident

a chance and usually sudden event bringing loss or injury the smallest mischance could spell disaster for our plan

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in misfortune

bad luck or an example of this by mischance she took a wrong turn and became hopelessly lost in the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mischance differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mischance are adversity, misfortune, and mishap. While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance.

took the wrong road by mischance

When is adversity a more appropriate choice than mischance?

The meanings of adversity and mischance largely overlap; however, adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune.

had never experienced great adversity

In what contexts can misfortune take the place of mischance?

In some situations, the words misfortune and mischance are roughly equivalent. However, misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress.

never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

When could mishap be used to replace mischance?

The words mishap and mischance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck.

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

Examples 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 mischance Timothy Naftali, New York University historian But mischance and error plagued the U.S. effort to divert the missile crisis. —

Glenn Garvin, miamiherald, 18 Oct. 2015

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischance

Noun

Six years ago, Ari Nesher, the teenage son of Israeli director Avi Nesher, was killed in a hit-and-run accident, while riding an electric bicycle.

— Peter Debruge, Variety, 20 Jan. 2025
In many cases, property owners and government authorities failed to keep up with the desiccated brush that was an accident waiting to happen.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025