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

Despite all of her misfortunes, self-inflicted or otherwise, Allen held her head high, beating the notoriously brutal British tabloids at their own game — or, at the very least, becoming a formative opponent.

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Silver linings don’t eclipse misfortune but, as their name implies, they can make a less-than-ideal situation a little brighter.

Read more on MarketWatch

Some observers attributed Milei’s misfortunes to his tough austerity program, which brought down inflation but so far has failed to attract investments and create new jobs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The human condition includes a vast array of unavoidable misfortunes.

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Her application was rejected a month ago, a misfortune she blames on her decision to pray at home.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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