unfortunate

[uhn-fawr-chuh-nit] / ʌnˈfɔr tʃə nɪt /

ADJECTIVE

unlucky, bad

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 out of luck 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

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.

“And it’s only an unfortunate circumstance of this huge epidemic that we were able to get samples and look at chains of transmission and really understand what the virus is doing to people.”

From MarketWatch • May 17, 2026

Maybe you were among the unfortunate 51,048 paying customers who came to watch the Dodgers even their series with the Giants without Ohtani’s help, and you’re sad about it.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

But she said it has been "unfortunate" that the last 48 hours of the season leading up to the final game has been plagued with controversy.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

These are unfortunate examples of how AI can lead to mistreatment of people because of technical flaws as well as misplaced human faith in the technology’s supposed objectivity.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

I knew he meant unfortunate for the community.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Vocabulary lists containing unfortunate

Oh, No! Synonyms for "Bad"

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Vocabulary from the Songs of "The Little Mermaid"

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Schooled

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