misfortune

This word carries a heavy, somber weight that suggests a lack of control over one's destiny. It often implies a streak of bad luck or a catastrophic event that alters a person's life trajectory, evoking a sense of tragedy or pity. While luck is often viewed as random and fleeting, misfortune feels more enduring and systemic. It is frequently used in formal or literary contexts to describe a series of calamities that befall a character, distinguishing it from a simple mistake or a minor inconvenience.