unfortunates
Those facing hardship
Unfortunates is a noun for people suffering from bad luck, poverty, or difficult circumstances.
The word often carries a note of pity or condescension: Victorian charities ministered to the unfortunates of the slums.
It can refer specifically to prostitutes, beggars, or the homeless—those society views as pitiable.
The term sounds dated and somewhat patronizing to modern ears.
Afflicted with misfortune
- hexedPlaced under curse
- cursedUnder a malevolent spell
- doomedDestined for destruction
- ill-starredFated to fail
ill-fated · hapless · unlucky · misfortunate · star-crossed · inauspicious · blighted · accursed
Extremely lacking in money
- pennilessCompletely without money
- homelessWithout a dwelling
- indigentExtremely poor, lacking necessities
- needyWanting in essentials
pauperized · bankrupt · insolvent · poverty-stricken · down-and-out · deprived · hand-to-mouth · penurious
Left stranded and helpless
- castawayShipwrecked and stranded person
- abandonedLeft behind completely
- shipwreckedStranded by maritime disaster
- adriftFloating without control
deserted · lost · trapped · forsaken · beached · stuck · castaways · refugees
Those killed or wounded
- sufferersPeople experiencing pain
- preyAnimal being hunted
- innocentsBlameless individuals
- hostagesCaptives held for demands
refugees · scapegoats · wounded · captives · persecuted · oppressed · abused · exploited
Extremely unhappy or unfortunate
- miserableWretchedly unhappy, dejected
- anguishedSeverely emotionally distressed
- tormentedSubjected to severe distress
- afflictedSuffering from something harmful
distressed · sorrowful · despairing · heartbroken · woeful · pitiful · downtrodden · burdened
jinxed
Afflicted with misfortune
ill-starred · ill-fated · hapless · unlucky · misfortunate · star-crossed · inauspicious · blighted · accursed · snakebitten
impoverished
Extremely lacking in money
- pennilessCompletely without money
- homelessWithout a dwelling
- indigentExtremely poor, lacking necessities
needy · pauperized · bankrupt · insolvent · poverty-stricken · down-and-out · deprived · hand-to-mouth · penurious · poorhouse
marooned
Left stranded and helpless
- castawayShipwrecked and stranded person
- abandonedLeft behind completely
- shipwreckedStranded by maritime disaster
adrift · deserted · lost · trapped · forsaken · beached · stuck · castaways · refugees · displaced
casualties
Those killed or wounded
hostages · refugees · scapegoats · wounded · captives · persecuted · oppressed · abused · exploited · targets
wretched
Extremely unhappy or unfortunate
- miserableWretchedly unhappy, dejected
- anguishedSeverely emotionally distressed
- tormentedSubjected to severe distress
afflicted · distressed · sorrowful · despairing · heartbroken · woeful · pitiful · downtrodden · burdened · troubled
mourning
Period following loss
loss · widower · sorrow · bereavement · mourners · grieving · bereft · survivors · condolences · shiva
unfortunatesthe elite
Most powerful group
high society · aristocrats · the upper class · plutocrats · trust fund babies
- how unfortunateExpression of sympathy