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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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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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
  • Neighbors shocked about stabbing Neighbors say Thomas was known to have mental health issues and called the stabbing unfortunate.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • To make matters worse, India’s Supreme Court, another vital democratic institution, has also played an unfortunate role in this train of events.
    — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfortunate
Adjective
  • Encouragement from his longtime confidante and collaborator helped the comedian write about the loss of his beloved home before Reiner’s tragic killing in December 2025 alongside his wife, Michele, in Brentwood.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Reynolds, a Black disabled man with a limb difference, is given a character of substance that isn’t tragic or inspirational.
    — Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of tragic
Adjective
  • Dudus was apparently unhappy about a recent NBC News article that exposed Combs’ cushy life behind bars.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Tim Boyd San Juan Capistrano I’m sure there are Dodgers fans unhappy about losing to the Brewers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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