as in tragedies
bad luck or an example of this
through sheer misfortune our car got a flat tire and we were late for the ceremony our misfortunes of the last year included the loss of a beloved pet
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Recent Examples of misfortunes
The Philadelphia singer-songwriter seeks out the mystical potential of quotidian misfortunes in a set of psychedelic-of-center bedroom pop songs.
—
Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026
But a staggering series of misfortunes – an arsonist destroyed her rental house; the private equity firm that owned the house still demanded two months’ rent and kept her security deposit; she was diagnosed with ovarian and breast cancer – forced her into tenuous housing situations.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
Their eyelike motifs have been associated with the evil eye that could curse performances and bring misfortunes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
How does falling victim to one of the most notoriously unlikely of all misfortunes reorient your sense of chance, of fate?
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
This is but the first in a series of escalating misfortunes.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
The journey is hampered by lack of money and other misfortunes, and it’s eventually interrupted by a gunshot, announcing the cantankerous presence of Tiga.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
The 33-year-old politician believes that the series illustrates a broader current issue, caused by the resurgence of public interest in the Kennedy clan and its misfortunes.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
But there’s a network of people looking to cash in on others’ misfortunes by renting out aging RVs to those searching for housing without a lease or tenant protections.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 8 Apr. 2026
But a staggering series of misfortunes – an arsonist destroyed her rental house; the private equity firm that owned the house still demanded two months’ rent and kept her security deposit; she was diagnosed with ovarian and breast cancer – forced her into tenuous housing situations.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
Their eyelike motifs have been associated with the evil eye that could curse performances and bring misfortunes.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
How does falling victim to one of the most notoriously unlikely of all misfortunes reorient your sense of chance, of fate?
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
This is but the first in a series of escalating misfortunes.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
The journey is hampered by lack of money and other misfortunes, and it’s eventually interrupted by a gunshot, announcing the cantankerous presence of Tiga.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
The 33-year-old politician believes that the series illustrates a broader current issue, caused by the resurgence of public interest in the Kennedy clan and its misfortunes.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
But there’s a network of people looking to cash in on others’ misfortunes by renting out aging RVs to those searching for housing without a lease or tenant protections.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misfortunes
Noun
-
Recent horrific tragedies have demonstrated the urgent need to improve Cook County’s process for enforcing warrants, too.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Less known, and more uncomfortable, is how some Democrats tend to go silent on the role that demonization from the left can play in these tragedies too.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Economic hardships are seen across the city, and these devices remove an option for many to make a living.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Shipwrecks are frequent along these routes, particularly in the western Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors, where thousands of migrants risk their lives each year fleeing conflict, poverty and climate-related hardships.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Throughout Peterson's legal troubles and accusations, the girls believed in his innocence and stood by his side.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
-
So why get entangled in today’s troubles?—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Ranger nameplate isn't particularly unreliable, though drivers with an impacted Ranger model should bring it in for inspection and repair as soon as possible to avoid any mishaps or issues.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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And as someone who’s perpetually running out the door at the last minute, this has saved me from countless hours steaming and one too many fashion mishaps.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Troy was the starting point of Odysseus’s calamitous 10-year westward voyage, with many detours and misadventures, to his kingdom of Ithaca.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
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Handing the keys of power to wannabe authoritarians is starting to look deeply unwise in light of Washington’s military and trade misadventures.—
Lionel Laurent,
Twin Cities,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misfortunes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misfortunes. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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