Synonyms for unfortunately
Most common
All synonyms
Adverb
1. Regrettably — used (as a parenthetical word, often a sentence adverb) to express disappointment, compassion, sorrow…
Other
unluckily, unforchies slang
Definitions
- adv. 1
Used (as a parenthetical word, often a sentence adverb) to express disappointment, compassion, sorrow, regret, or grief.
The houses which burned down could have been saved. Unfortunately, the fire truck had broken down on the way.
Related words
- Other spellings
- unfortunantly
Example sentences
- sadly Sadly, he isn't as skilled as he is enthusiastic.
- regrettably Gunter regrettably gave Amelia a key to his apartment.
- regretfully I regretfully admit that I don't love you anymore.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| unfortunately | falling | |
| sadly | rising | |
| regrettably | steady | |
| regretfully | steady | |
| unluckily | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 5 letters
- sadly2
- 9 letters
- unhappily4, unluckily
- 10 letters
- unforchies
- 11 letters
- regrettably4, regretfully4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (sadly2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- malheureusement
- Italiano
- sfortunatamente
- Español
- desgraciadamente
- Deutsch
- leider
- Català
- desgraciadament