unlucky

adjective

ˌən-ˈlə-kē How to pronounce unlucky (audio)
Definition of unluckynext
1
as in unfortunate
having, prone to, or marked by bad luck the unlucky campers had rain all week I'm so unlucky I don't bother to play the lottery an unlucky throw of the dice

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress the settlers made the unlucky decision to cross the dangerous mountain pass in the middle of winter

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 unlucky As bears across Colorado scour trash for their next meal amid the state’s ongoing drought, one unlucky creature was scooped up by a Waste Management garbage truck south of Denver last week, according to a Castle Rock resident. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2026 Manning was 23-for-37 for only 195 yards with one touchdown and a comically unlucky interception. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Calvert-Lewin was unlucky to see a 34th-minute header marked down as an own goal after brushing the head of teammate Jayden Bogle on the way in. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 But that’s not to say the song isn’t fresh, with Shygirl’s silky voice adding warmth to the lush track, which comes with a sharp video featuring Shygirl in a pretty unlucky situation. — Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unlucky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unlucky
  1. unfortunate
  2. tragic
  3. unhappy
  4. luckless
Adjective
  • For many people, however, the presentation instead bears an uncanny and unfortunate resemblance to imagery used in Nazi-era Germany.
    — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Giannis Antetokounmpo era is off to an unfortunate start, as the Heat is 0-2 to start a season for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfortunate
Adjective
  • The death was confirmed via his wife, Nella Vera, who shared the tragic news on her Instagram account on Tuesday.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • That legacy has shaped a tragic disparity in Jacksonville, which has three of the 10 worst ZIP codes for child firearm injury rates in Florida, according to an analysis of hospital claims data obtained by KFF Health News and The Trace.
    — Yona Gavino, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of tragic
Adjective
  • Many of the women in the packed courtroom gallery appeared unhappy when the sentences were rendered.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Andy’s view Almost 14 years into Xi Jinping’s norm-busting reign, just about everybody is unhappy with his economy.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • During these walking meditations my notebook starts to feel suspiciously similar to the luckless young climber’s selfie camera.
    — Brian Laidlaw, Longreads, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This year, the final was between Kerry, historically the sport’s most successful side, and Mayo, one of Ireland’s smaller counties by population and, in football terms, the most luckless.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of luckless

Browse Nearby Words

unluckiness
unlucky
unlyrical
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Cite this Entry

“Unlucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unlucky. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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