: marked by, relating to, or experiencing bad luck or difficulty
another loss for the team's hard-luck pitcher
hard-luck stories

Examples of hard-luck in a Sentence

a hard-luck ball club that never could get the breaks it needed
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The two formerly hard-luck performers, each previously divorced with children, blended their families and achieved enough professional success to open for Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder in Milwaukee. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025 Kevin Gausman took the hard-luck loss after allowing two runs on three hits over 5.2 innings. Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 Leiter took a hard-luck loss for his gem as the Yankees wrapped up the title. Jayson Stark, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Mikolas suffered a hard-luck setback in his lone meeting with Milwaukee this season. Field Level Media, Reuters, 14 Sep. 2025 The offensive issues contributed to rookie Yankees starter Will Warren (6-5) suffering a hard-luck loss. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 July 2025 The offensive issues contributed to a hard-luck loss for rookie Yankees starter Will Warren, who surrendered a home run to the game’s first batter, Michael Busch, but was otherwise sharp. Peter Sblendorio, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025 The final outs were symbolic of their hard-luck day — including 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position — with Yandy Diaz lacing a 100.6-mph line drive into a double play. Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2025 Royals starter Noah Cameron took a hard-luck loss despite allowing just two runs. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard-luck was in 1890

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hard-luck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-luck. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

hard-luck

adjective
ˈhärd-ˌlək
: marked by, relating to, or experiencing bad luck
hard-luck stories
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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