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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unfortunate
The forces of economic uncertainty have been hoisted upon the religious elements of our society, and that has strained synagogues here in Broward, which can be unfortunate and frightening.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025
Much of the sadness around the unexpected and unfortunate end to Jane’s Addiction relates to the fact that the shows prior to their final performance were some of Navarro’s favorite.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 19 May 2025
The unfortunate truth is that blueberries can carry all sorts of unwanted guests, from dirt and debris, tiny bugs like aphids or fruit flies, pesticide residue, bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, or Listeria, mold spores, and even parasites.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
None of his previous work has been released in the U.S., which is unfortunate because Demoustier (brother of the talented actress Anaïs) is one of those rare French filmmakers who can blend suspense with perceptive writing and characterization, resulting in artsy thrillers that dig deep.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025
Much of the sadness around the unexpected and unfortunate end to Jane’s Addiction relates to the fact that the shows prior to their final performance were some of Navarro’s favorite.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 19 May 2025
The unfortunate truth is that blueberries can carry all sorts of unwanted guests, from dirt and debris, tiny bugs like aphids or fruit flies, pesticide residue, bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, or Listeria, mold spores, and even parasites.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
None of his previous work has been released in the U.S., which is unfortunate because Demoustier (brother of the talented actress Anaïs) is one of those rare French filmmakers who can blend suspense with perceptive writing and characterization, resulting in artsy thrillers that dig deep.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unfortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unfortunate
Adjective
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In short, plenty of disastrous events can strike, often with little to no warning.—
Niki Jorgensen,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, straining to restore ties with Washington after a disastrous February White House visit, met Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome on Sunday on the sidelines of Pope Leo's inauguration.—
Pavel Polityuk,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Reports suggested that Daltrey was unhappy with Starkey’s playing on the night, and a number of songs were cut short.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
29 May 2025
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Netflix In a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, Ortega revealed that the massive success following 'Wednesday' actually left her unhappy.—
Jeremy Hanna,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Mexicans mourned the deaths of two sailors while authorities in Mexico and New York worked to unravel the mystery of the tragic crash of the Cuauhtémoc Training Ship into the Brooklyn Bridge.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
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Many moviegoers are taking issue with Hurry Up Tomorrow for being little more than a feature-length promotion for Tesfaye’s studio album of the same name, which was released in January amid the tragic L.A. fires and is billed as a goodbye to his moniker as The Weeknd.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Her father was charged A CT baby had fractures and injuries medical personnel say could have been fatal.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
30 May 2025
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In addition to the loss of wildlife, collisions are also fatal to humans.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Comparable sales for the quarter decreased 1.7% blamed on unfavorable weather earlier in the year, while pro and online sales grew.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
21 May 2025
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This compares to an unfavorable score of 65 percent, for those who disliked her, giving her a net approval rating of minus 45.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unfortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unfortunate. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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