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.

New York went over half a century of misery and haplessness without a title.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

Irritable, neurotic, decent, confused and sardonic, Larry is a refreshing nod to the kind of spiky haplessness Jack Lemmon mastered.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

While that is possible, few have the stomach for another lengthy leadership contest, which would only reinforce the party’s image of haplessness.

From New York Times • Oct. 15, 2022

And the dog's occasional haplessness is a nice realistic change from her fearlessness.

From Salon • Aug. 10, 2022

Then I heaped upon my guards the most vehement reproaches, or betook myself to wailings on the haplessness of my condition.

From Wieland: or, the Transformation, an American Tale by Brown, Charles Brockden