ill-fated.

Destined for, or retrospectively marked by, an unfortunate outcome.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• ill-fated voyage
• ill-fated marriage
• ill-fated expedition

On the page

Their ill-fated marriage began with a lavish chapel ceremony.

Only one diary survived the ill-fated expedition.

She inherited the debts of an ill-fated attempt to restore the manor.

Usage notes

Primary category: gothic. Often a narrator's hindsight rather than literal proof of predestination; can concern a journey, relationship, or undertaking. Usually non-gradable; no standard comparative or superlative needed.