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Synonyms

misfortune

American  
[mis-fawr-chuhn] / mɪsˈfɔr tʃən /

noun

  1. adverse fortune; bad luck.

  2. an instance of this; mischance; mishap.

    Synonyms:
    blow, reverse, catastrophe, calamity, disaster, accident

misfortune British  
/ mɪsˈfɔːtʃən /

noun

  1. evil fortune; bad luck

  2. an unfortunate or disastrous event; calamity

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See affliction.

Etymology

Origin of misfortune

1400–50; late Middle English. See mis- 1, fortune

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