misadventure

noun

mis·​ad·​ven·​ture ˌmi-səd-ˈven-chər How to pronounce misadventure (audio)
Synonyms of misadventurenext
: misfortune, mishap

Synonyms of misadventure

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Examples of misadventure in a Sentence

His vacation turned into a series of misadventures. a string of financial misadventures eventually left him broke
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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.
Menopause, empty nests and romantic misadventures upend the lives of four women, who have had enough of being reasonable. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026 The last stretch of the musical, when Ponyboy is back with his brothers stunned by all the losses that have racked up during his misadventures, drags a bit because of the lack of fine-tuning in the characterizations. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 Most cooking misadventures can be avoided altogether by simply knowing what is in store. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2026 Trump’s Arch will commemorate his overnight mugging of Venezuela and his colossal misadventures in Iran. — Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misadventure

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mesaventure, from Anglo-French, from mesavenir to turn out badly, from mes- mis- + avenir to happen, from Latin advenire — more at adventure

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misadventure was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing misadventure

Rhymes for misadventure

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Browse Nearby Words

misadministration
misadventure
misadventured
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Cite this Entry

“Misadventure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misadventure. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

misadventure

noun
mis·​ad·​ven·​ture ˌmi-səd-ˈven-chər How to pronounce misadventure (audio)
: an accident that causes serious injury or death to a person and that does not involve negligence, wrongful purpose, or unlawful conduct
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