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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfortunate
Revel suffered an unfortunate season-ending knee injury but looked like a top-15 pick before it.
—
John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
The Weeknd has pushed back his forthcoming album Hurry Up Tomorrow and canceled his upcoming Rose Bowl show due to the unfortunate times in LA County.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 14 Jan. 2025
Forever for sale: For some poor, unfortunate millionaires and billionaires, owning a multi-million dollar home can come at a cost.
—Peter Green, Quartz, 12 Jan. 2025
That’s obviously tragic and very unfortunate for anyone in that area.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unfortunate 
John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
The Weeknd has pushed back his forthcoming album Hurry Up Tomorrow and canceled his upcoming Rose Bowl show due to the unfortunate times in LA County.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 14 Jan. 2025
Forever for sale: For some poor, unfortunate millionaires and billionaires, owning a multi-million dollar home can come at a cost.
—Peter Green, Quartz, 12 Jan. 2025
That’s obviously tragic and very unfortunate for anyone in that area.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
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Many in the comments could relate to roommate frustration, which often manifests in similar ways—as simple household tasks leading to disastrous misfires.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
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Many Democrats are angry that Biden clung to power and refused to allow for an open primary, only stepping aside after a disastrous debate performance provoked an internal revolt against his candidacy.—
Jonathan Easley,
The Hill,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Ratings declined, Lynch was unhappy, and the show was canceled.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
16 Jan. 2025
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Saquon Barkley is an unstoppable force, the defense is resurgent under Vic Fangio, the chatter about an unhappy A.J. Brown has mostly died down.—
Dianna Russini,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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At least one desperate Russian command, the 20th Combined Arms Army, has formed assault groups made up of walking wounded—including injured men walking with the aid of crutches—and sent them into battle with predictably tragic results.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Coweta County Fire Rescue continues to be devastated by the tragic passing of Battalion Chief Bart Cauthen.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But as Trump prepares to retake the White House Monday, Democratic leaders have highlighted other results that show November's losses are not fatal.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
18 Jan. 2025
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There were 147 people killed in Kansas City last year, according to data maintained by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And in the real world, government actors try every trick possible to evade an unfavorable judgment.—
James S. Burling,
National Review,
23 Jan. 2025
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Advertisement Anxiety is mounting that U.S. President Trump might seek to quickly end the war in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on terms that are unfavorable to Ukraine, or once again refuse to defend European allies who do not boost their military budgets.—
Lorne Cook,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unfortunate
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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