View synonyms for hapless

hapless

[ hap-lis ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

unlucky; luckless; unfortunate.
Synonyms: pathetic, forlorn, wretched, woebegone, miserable, pitiable

hapless

/ ˈhæplɪs /

Origin of hapless¹

First recorded in 1560–70; hap ¹ + -less

It helps that Wendy Davis is a hapless opponent, but as a test proving it can be done, any success is welcomed.

“At first I was happy to be learning to read,” explains the hapless adult illiterate Office Barbrady in an early episode.

It becomes a hapless gesture of uninformed social media departments who perceive the potential of engagement without consequences.

With them are thousands of other hapless mall-goers, descending rapidly into deadly anarchy.

Finally, Cleese goose-steps out of the dining room as the hapless Germans cringe and sob.

Lawrence, when the day was lost, rode back to prepare the hapless Europeans in the city for the hazard that now threatened.

In the dressing-room beyond the larger room where that strange interview was to take place, the hapless man lay on a bed.

In some vague way Jessie connected the mystery with the hapless creature whom she knew now to be the King of Asturia.

It was into a cell adjoining that which the hapless queen had occupied that Madame Roland was cast.

He was soon at full speed again, on his futile race: a hapless idealist in pursuit of lost dreams.

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