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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfortunate
By unfortunate coincidence, the psychiatrist assigned to his case is named Dr. Watson (Joanne Woodward), which further encourages Playfair to embrace his fantasy.
—
Rory Doherty, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
Each unfortunate creature was helpless until strangers intervened to rescue them and carry them to safety in selfless acts of kindness.
—Allison Moses, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
Although unfortunate, the elevated threat environment bodes well for the sales for Palo Alto and cyber peer CrowdStrike .
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
Having a professional to talk to can help process and unpack unfortunate changes, and point towards new possibilities.
—Chris Westfall, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unfortunate 
Rory Doherty, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
Each unfortunate creature was helpless until strangers intervened to rescue them and carry them to safety in selfless acts of kindness.
—Allison Moses, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
Although unfortunate, the elevated threat environment bodes well for the sales for Palo Alto and cyber peer CrowdStrike .
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
Having a professional to talk to can help process and unpack unfortunate changes, and point towards new possibilities.
—Chris Westfall, Forbes, 16 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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Witherspoon presents Margot not as some unhappy bachelorette, but as a modern, self-reliant woman.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2025
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The Thailand-set season sees a new crop of unhappy, rich vacationers at a luxurious resort.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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In subsequent comments, Cal Fire said no emissions or smog inspections were conducted and warned that a vehicle failure in a fire zone could be fatal.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacramento Bee,
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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The dollar hit a new two-week low, but the impact unfavorable exchange rates have on revenues from multinational companies was more visible Wednesday.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
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 2 Feb. 2025.
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