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

I’ve been a trial lawyer for decades, and I’ve had the misfortune of litigating arcane aspects of First Amendment law.

From Salon

“I think it’s fortune within misfortune,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

So wait: If Spirit’s passengers are miserable—and if onlookers at neighboring gates are smirking stupidly, safe in the knowledge that they don’t have the misfortune of flying that dreaded airline, as I swear I experienced in Florida—what makes it so good for people?

From Slate

There are more Republicans in the Democratic stronghold of California than there are in Michigan, Georgia, and Nevada put together, but no one cares what they say or think because they have had the misfortune of being more or less permanently outnumbered by Democrats in statewide elections for a generation.

From Slate

Up to that point, Buehler could be called a victim of misfortune.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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