Synonyms for

Misfortune

Verb / mɪˈsfɔ:rtʃʌn / Another word for misfortune — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a condition of bad luck or an unfortunate event

Synonyms & similar words

toughluck illluck badluck goodluck goodfortune mishap disaster calamity hardship adversity tragedy catastrophe difficulty problem setback accident ill-fortune ill-starred woe unhappiness grief

Synonyms by register

Formal

adversity calamity tribulation hardship

Informal

bad luck bummer tough break downer

Literary

woe ill fate haplessness

Antonyms

fortune luck blessing prosperity success advantage good luck good fortune

Common collocations

  • terrible misfortune
  • personal misfortune
  • financial misfortune
  • avoid misfortune
  • suffer misfortune
  • face misfortune
  • overcome misfortune
  • a stroke of misfortune

Word family

noun misfortune
adjective unfortunate

Usage note

Misfortune refers to bad luck or an unfortunate event. It is often used in more formal contexts than 'bad luck'.

Example sentences

  1. I had a misfortune and fell off my bike today.
  2. It was a great misfortune that the cake burned.
  3. He has suffered a lot of misfortune in his life.
  4. She considered herself lucky to have avoided any misfortunes on her trip.
  5. The misfortune of losing his job made him depressed.

Quotes

  • Misfortunes one can endure—they come from outside, they are accidents. But to suffer for one's own faults—ah!—there is the sting of life.
  • A man's true character comes out when he's drunk.
  • Misfortune shows those who are not really friends.

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