MISCHANCE Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'mischance' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mischance are adversity , misfortune , and mishap . While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance. // took the wrong road by mischance

Q: When is 'adversity' a more appropriate choice than 'mischance'?

The meanings of adversity and mischance largely overlap; however, adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune. // had never experienced great adversity

Q: In what contexts can 'misfortune' take the place of 'mischance'?

In some situations, the words misfortune and mischance are roughly equivalent. However, misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress. // never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

Q: When could 'mishap' be used to replace 'mischance'?

The words mishap and mischance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck. // the usual mishaps of a family vacation

mischance

noun

ˌmis-ˈchan(t)s

Definition of mischance

as in accident

a chance and usually sudden event bringing loss or injury the smallest mischance could spell disaster for our plan

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in misfortune

bad luck or an example of this by mischance she took a wrong turn and became hopelessly lost in the city

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun mischance differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mischance are adversity, misfortune, and mishap. While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance.

took the wrong road by mischance

When is adversity a more appropriate choice than mischance?

The meanings of adversity and mischance largely overlap; however, adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune.

had never experienced great adversity

In what contexts can misfortune take the place of mischance?

In some situations, the words misfortune and mischance are roughly equivalent. However, misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress.

never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

When could mishap be used to replace mischance?

The words mishap and mischance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck.

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mischance Through mischance and rebel defiance, many of these same redcoats had failed to capture the fortress eight months earlier, despite standing at the gates. — / Cbs News, CBS News, 13 June 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischance

Noun

The crash came three weeks after 17 people died in another accident along the same highway linking the capital, Nairobi, with the coastal city of Mombasa.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
An accident in the Chihuahua mountains On April 19, the Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office reported the dismantling of a synthetic drug lab in the municipality of Morelos, in the mountains of that state.

— María Verza, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of accident

Noun

But there is an important distinction between reporting a tragedy and allowing that tragedy to define an entire industry.

— Dennis Speigel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
The destruction of South Korea’s memory chip fabs would compound this tragedy and cripple the global economy.

— Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of tragedy

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miscellany

mischance

mischances

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“Mischance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischance. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mischance

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