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.

When Colbert presented a photo of the Emmy-winning actor covered in bees during a Season 1 episode of the wacky family sitcom, Cranston recalled a rather unfortunate injury he suffered while filming the Fox hit.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

"It's just unfortunate the football side of the club is suffering at the minute."

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

"It's an amazing career, it's so unfortunate that we don't have the opportunity to join it anymore," they said.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Mr. Sokolov and co-writer Alex Litvak barely bother with scratching out the crudest imaginable dialogue, which is unfortunate because they fancy themselves the creators of a sociopolitical satire along the lines of “Get Out.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Sam, I noted, never took his eyes off ours, which was unfortunate since it was by far the sloppiest of the lot.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

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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