noun
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evil fortune; bad luck
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an unfortunate or disastrous event; calamity
Related Words
See affliction.
Etymology
Origin of misfortune
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.
By leaning in to the misfortune of a lot of stolen chocolate, the company “embraced the opportunity and turned it into a positive.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
Normally, others misfortune isn’t something I pile on, but oh, did that woman earn some scorn.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026
Undeterred by his misfortune two holes earlier, Bridgeman began the back nine with a birdie at No. 10 and an eagle at No. 11 to give himself a four-shot cushion.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2026
Fans with the misfortune of living elsewhere scrambled to look at flights before presales start this weekend.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 24, 2026
Life is rife with many moments of misfortune, which we must learn to see as opportunities.
From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.