misadventure

noun

mis·​ad·​ven·​ture ˌmi-səd-ˈven-chər 

: misfortune, mishap

Synonyms

• adversity
• ill
• knock
• mischance
• misfortune
• mishap
• tragedy

Examples of misadventure in a Sentence

His vacation turned into a series of misadventures.

a string of financial misadventures eventually left him broke

Recent Examples on the Web

New kids, new spouses, new businesses, new fun…ALL the generations and no end to the adventures (and yes, probably some misadventures too)! —Janelle Ash, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025

The rest of the world might not know or care, but the specificity makes the daylong misadventure authentic. —Fred Topel, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025

Again their leading scorer with 42 points in 38 games, Konecny has had some defensive misadventures in recent weeks. —Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025

Long before Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Jim Croce, and members of Skynyrd died in plane crashes, Miller had his own fatal aviation misadventure. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing misadventure

• death by misadventure

Kids Definition

misadventure

noun

mis·​ad·​ven·​ture ˌmis-əd-ˈven-chər 

: misfortune sense 2

Legal Definition

misadventure

noun

mis·​ad·​ven·​ture ˌmi-səd-ˈven-chər 

: an accident that causes serious injury or death to a person and that does not involve negligence, wrongful purpose, or unlawful conduct