misfortune

[mis-fawr-chuhn] / mɪsˈfɔr tʃən /

NOUN

disaster

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

accident annoyance anxiety blow burden casualty contretemps cross crunch dole failure harm infelicity loss mischance nuisance reverse trial trouble unpleasantness visitation worry

WEAK

bad break bad news bad thing hard luck rotten luck tough luck unluck

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantage aid benefit blessing boon boost comfort delight ease encouragement favor fortune gain good fortune good luck happiness help joy miracle pleasure profit relief success wonder

STRONG

accomplishment achievement calmness contentment peace win

WEAK

piece of luck

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.

The theatrical Mary may be good for laughs, but other than the hoop skirt and pipe curls, she bears no resemblance to the real Mary, whose life was crowded with tragedy, misfortune and misinterpretation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

"It was kind of funny, amid our misfortune."

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

Many youth—not just those who have had the grave misfortune of being arrested and stuck in hellish immigration detention centers—are intently watching these interactions and wondering what’s next for them.

From Slate • Apr. 27, 2026

It was a moment of misfortune, the sort that is often the fate of a team, and indeed a club, in crisis.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

I think of Agnes's misfortune, Marguerite's seeming malice, and the certainty of Mother Ermentrude's justice.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Vocabulary lists containing misfortune

Power Prefix: mis-

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"The Experiment" and "Superstition"

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Girl with a Pearl Earring

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