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

You're left with the ultimate cocktail for girls’ night, rooftop bars, or writing late-night columns about your latest dating misadventure. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 2025

Through the reboot, the classic show about Beaver Cleaver's misadventures was introduced to a new generation. —Grace Harrington, People.com, 12 June 2025

In the immediate aftermath of the Quebec misadventure, the answers should have been obvious. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2025

Lane stars on Hulu sitcom Mid-Century Modern — created by Boston Common and Will & Grace showrunners David Kohan and Max Mutchnick — following the misadventures of three gay best friends (Lane, Matt Bomer, and Nathan Lee Graham) in Palm Springs, Calif. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 4 June 2025

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

Rhymes for misadventure

• peradventure
• adventure
• debenture
• indenture
• bencher
• denture
• quencher
• trencher
• venture

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