Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mischance differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mischance are adversity, misfortune, and mishap. While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance.

took the wrong road by mischance

When is adversity a more appropriate choice than mischance?

The meanings of adversity and mischance largely overlap; however, adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune.

had never experienced great adversity

In what contexts can misfortune take the place of mischance?

In some situations, the words misfortune and mischance are roughly equivalent. However, misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress.

never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

When could mishap be used to replace mischance?

The words mishap and mischance are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck.

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

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 mischance Timothy Naftali, New York University historian But mischance and error plagued the U.S. effort to divert the missile crisis. Glenn Garvin, miamiherald, 18 Oct. 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischance
Noun
  • What if Gemma was at fault for the accident and seriously harmed or killed another person?
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Connected sensors track environmental hazards, which secure rapid response to prevent accidents.
    Oleg Fonarov, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Miami’s misfortune with close games and big leads hasn’t dissuaded Spoelstra’s goal to maximize each possession and win every game, even if his roster is significantly different from five months ago.
    James Jackson, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Healthy bodies are the only thing that can make a difference at Madison Square Garden, but where there is great demand, misfortune would have it there is also a great shortage.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • And that March, tragedy struck when three people died in a fatal crowd surge at her concert with Finesse2tymes in Rochester, N.Y.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The rush occurred mere weeks before Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach’s planned announcement of their spa updates; the tragedy in Los Angeles simply moved up the timeline for the quiet, coastal community’s merits as a luxury wellness hub.
    Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mischance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischance. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mischance

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