What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
misfortunate
Example
The misfortunate man lost his job, his house, and his wife all in the same year. [misfortunate: adjective]
Example
She was born into a misfortunate family and had to struggle to make ends meet. [misfortunate: adjective]
hapless
Example
The hapless victim of the robbery was left with nothing but his clothes. [hapless: adjective]
Example
He was a hapless bystander caught in the crossfire of the gang war. [hapless: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hapless is more commonly used than misfortunate in everyday language. Hapless is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while misfortunate is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between misfortunate and hapless?
Misfortunate is typically associated with a more formal tone, while hapless is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
