Misfortunate

The adjective 'misfortunate' describes a state of being characterized by bad luck or unfortunate circumstances. It signifies experiencing adverse events, setbacks, or predicaments. Individuals or entities described as 'misfortunate' often face difficulties, failures, or negative outcomes due to factors beyond their control or through unforeseen circumstances. The term highlights a lack of fortune, implying a persistent pattern of setbacks or a single, significant event of bad luck, causing grief, loss, or distress. While similar to 'unfortunate', 'misfortunate' can sometimes carry a connotation of being more deeply affected by misfortune or having a more significant negative impact on the subject. It emphasizes the unfavorable aspects of a situation rather than offering opportunities for improvement. This word is not widely used in modern English, but it does exist.

Misfortunate meaning with examples

• The shipwrecked sailors, facing the raging storm and dwindling supplies, were a truly misfortunate group, desperately hoping for rescue but facing dwindling hope. They endured a tortuous ordeal at sea, plagued by hunger and desperation, facing the bleak prospect of perishing in the ocean depths.
• After the catastrophic earthquake, the residents of the devastated town were left to grapple with misfortunate conditions, losing their homes and loved ones, while desperately trying to find a way to rebuild and reclaim their lives from the wreckage.
• The small business owner, after years of hard work, encountered misfortunate economic turns, including sudden inflation. This forced them to the point of bankruptcy, despite their efforts, forcing them to make tough decisions to survive the crisis.
• The scholar, after dedicating decades to research, found their findings were overshadowed by scandalous fraud; a misfortunate event that brought shame upon their career and destroyed years of dedication, leaving them in despair.
• The young athlete experienced a misfortunate series of injuries throughout the crucial championship season. Despite their talent, the series of setbacks prevented the player from competing, preventing them from reaching their true potential.