Misfortune: meaning, definitions and examples

Appropriate for formal or neutral contexts when referring to an unlucky set of circumstances or accidents.

• She had the misfortune of losing her job right before the holidays
• Despite his misfortunes, he managed to keep a positive outlook

Suitable for casual or informal contexts, particularly when speaking about unlucky moments or outcomes.

• He had bad luck and missed the bus this morning
• That was just bad luck, don't worry about it

Best used when referring to a series of negative occurrences, often in a narrative or storytelling context.

• A series of unfortunate events led to the downfall of the company
• It was a story filled with unfortunate events that captivated the audience

Used in situations emphasizing difficulty, suffering, or adverse conditions, often over a prolonged period.

• They faced many hardships during the war
• Financial hardship has been a constant struggle for her family

Used to describe a specific instance or event of bad luck. Not always extremely severe, but still unfortunate.

• She had the misfortune of losing her job right before the holidays.
• It was just a stroke of misfortune that caused the car accident.

Used to describe an event that results in great sadness, often involving severe loss or sorrow, and sometimes used in dramatic storytelling or literature.

• The sudden death of the young athlete was a tragedy.
• Shakespeare's plays often depict human suffering and tragedy.

Describes a disastrous event that causes widespread damage or distress. It is more severe and overwhelming.

• The earthquake was a calamity that affected thousands of people.
• The economic recession proved to be a calamity for small businesses.

Typically refers to a prolonged period of challenges or difficulties that one has to overcome. Often used in motivational or inspirational contexts.

• He faced much adversity in his life but always remained positive.
• Overcoming adversity is often a key theme in success stories.