misfortune

[mis-fawr-chuhn]

noun

1. adverse fortune; bad luck.

2. an instance of this; mischance; mishap.

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

misfortune

/ mɪsˈfɔːtʃən /

noun

1. evil fortune; bad luck

2. an unfortunate or disastrous event; calamity

Word History and Origins

Origin of misfortune¹

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

Synonym Study

See affliction.

Example Sentences

Her art features cute animals — the kind a child might cuddle with — but with thoughtful, melancholy features and expressions, as if they are grappling with a recent misfortune or trying to navigate a hard day.

From Los Angeles Times

Is it too simplistic to point to the disallowed goal as evidence of Celtic's misfortunes, or were they just second best against the side seventh in Portugal's top flight?

From BBC

Milioti had the misfortune of competing against Jessica Gunning’s undeniable performance on “Baby Reindeer,” losing to her earlier this year at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards.

From Los Angeles Times

Yes, opposing fans celebrate and cheer the misfortune of opponents in the Ryder Cup.

From BBC

Let the record show, I know it’s not kind to laugh at another person’s misfortune.

From Salon

Related Words

• adversity 
• affliction 
• bad luck 
• calamity 
• cataclysm 
• catastrophe 
• debacle 
• disadvantage 
• disappointment 
• discomfort 
• hardship 
• inconvenience 
• misadventure 
• misery 
• mishap 
• setback 
• tragedy 
• tribulation