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Dictionary.com
Definitions

out of luck

ADJECTIVE
ill-chosen
Synonyms
WEAK
adverse afflicted awkward broken burdened calamitous cursed damaging deplorable desperate destitute disastrous doomed forsaken hapless hopeless ill-fated ill-starred in a bad way inappropriate inept infelicitous inopportune jinxed lamentable luckless pained poor regrettable ruined ruinous shattered star-crossed stricken troubled unbecoming unfavorable unhappy unpropitious unprosperous unsuccessful unsuitable untoward wretched
ADJECTIVE
infelicitous
Synonyms
WEAK
adverse afflicted awkward broken burdened calamitous cursed damaging deplorable desperate destitute disastrous doomed forsaken hapless hopeless ill-chosen ill-fated ill-starred in a bad way inappropriate inept inopportune jinxed lamentable luckless pained poor regrettable ruined ruinous shattered star-crossed stricken troubled unbecoming unfavorable unhappy unpropitious unprosperous unsuccessful unsuitable untoward wretched
ADJECTIVE
late
Synonyms
STRONGEST
last-minute slow
WEAK
backward behind behind time behindhand belated blown delayed dilatory eleventh hour gone held up hung up in a bind in the lurch jammed lagging missed the boat overdue postponed put off remiss stayed strapped tardy too late unpunctual
Antonyms
WEAK
antique early live old old-fashioned on time prompt punctual
ADJECTIVE
unfortunate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adverse damaging deplorable disastrous inappropriate inauspicious lamentable regrettable unlucky untoward
STRONG
desperate doomed poor sad
WEAK
afflicted broken burdened calamitous cursed destitute forsaken hapless hopeless ill-fated ill-starred in a bad way infelicitous inopportune jinxed luckless pained ruined ruinous shattered star-crossed stricken troubled unbecoming unfavorable unhappy unpropitious unprosperous unsuccessful unsuitable wretched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
auspicious blessed favorable fortunate good happy helpful lucky proper suitable
STRONG
hopeful
WEAK
timely
ADJECTIVE
unlucky
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hapless miserable tragic unhappy
STRONG
luckless
WEAK
afflicted bad break behind the eight ball black calamitous cataclysmic catastrophic cursed dire disastrous down on luck hard luck ill-fated ill-starred inauspicious ominous star-crossed tough luck unfavorable unsuccessful untimely untoward
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful fortunate happy lucky

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Multiple cast members have confirmed some version of the same thing: if you were late to breakfast, you were out of luck.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

If you hadn’t already purchased a travel-insurance policy before this week’s events, you are likely out of luck.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

If no Roth option is available, workers making over $150,000 in 2025 wanting to make catch-up contributions will be out of luck.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 2026

People who were 80 or older on Sept. 1, 2013, were out of luck -- they would never become eligible for the vaccine.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2025

Rural shoppers across large swaths of the country were similarly out of luck when it came to accessing fresh produce.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama