luckless
Cursed by chance
Luckless means unfortunate or having no luck—consistently failing to catch a break.
The word carries a sympathetic tone, suggesting someone deserving better: the luckless job seeker, a luckless gambler.
It's slightly literary, more likely in narrative than conversation.
Afflicted with misfortune
- hexedPlaced under curse
- cursedUnder a malevolent spell
- accursedUnder a baleful spell
- bewitchedUnder magical influence
ill-omened · blighted · doomed · damned · crossed · hoodoo · evil eye · under a cloud
Deserving of pity
- ill-fatedDestined to fail
- haplessLacking good fortune
- star-crossedDoomed by destiny
- snakebittenChronically unfortunate
ill-starred · misfortunate · accident-prone · woeful · pitiful · pitiable · wretched · poor
Determined by destiny
- destinedFixed by fate
- condemnedOfficially declared unfit
- foreordainedDecided in advance unavoidably
- predestinedDecided in advance
ill-fated · inevitable · inescapable · sealed · hopeless · beyond help · finished · sunk
Adverse circumstance or event
- adversitySevere difficulty or suffering
- setbackReverse in progress
- troubleDifficulty or distress
- woeGreat sorrow or distress
tribulation · ordeal · struggle · plight · predicament · difficulty · reversal · bad break
Lacking strength or authority
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- exposedOut in open
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
abandoned · forsaken · forlorn · bereft · desolate · stranded · adrift · alone
Not achieving desired outcome
- defeatedOvercome in contest
- thwartedPrevented from succeeding
- frustratedAnnoyed by obstacles
- foiledPrevented from succeeding
stymied · beaten · bested · outmatched · winless · losing streak · also-ran · underdog
jinxed
Afflicted with misfortune
bewitched · ill-omened · blighted · doomed · damned · crossed · hoodoo · evil eye · under a cloud · black cat
unfortunate
Deserving of pity
- ill-fatedDestined to fail
- haplessLacking good fortune
- star-crossedDoomed by destiny
snakebitten · ill-starred · misfortunate · accident-prone · woeful · pitiful · pitiable · wretched · poor · sad
fated
Determined by destiny
- destinedFixed by fate
- condemnedOfficially declared unfit
- foreordainedDecided in advance unavoidably
predestined · ill-fated · inevitable · inescapable · sealed · hopeless · beyond help · finished · sunk · ruined
misfortune
Adverse circumstance or event
woe · tribulation · ordeal · struggle · plight · predicament · difficulty · reversal · bad break · tough break
powerless
Lacking strength or authority
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- vulnerableOpen to attack
- exposedOut in open
unprotected · abandoned · forsaken · forlorn · bereft · desolate · stranded · adrift · alone · friendless
unsuccessful
Not achieving desired outcome
- defeatedOvercome in contest
- thwartedPrevented from succeeding
- frustratedAnnoyed by obstacles
foiled · stymied · beaten · bested · outmatched · winless · losing streak · also-ran · underdog · disappointment