unluckily

comparative more unluckily · superlative most unluckily

1. Without luck; unfortunately.

   […] where Hercules and Omphale having changed garments, he lying in his wives clothes, and ſhe in his Lions skin, made the luſtfull God mistake ſo unluckily, […]

   1660, H[enry] More, An Explanation of the Grand Mystery of Godliness; or, A True and Faithfull Representation of the Everlasting Gospel of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Onely Begotten Son of God and Sovereign over Men and Angels, London: […] J. Flesher, for W. Morden […], page 80

   3 more examples

   They say that Ngoc hoang sent a messenger from heaven to men to say that when they reached old age they should change their skins and live for ever, but that when serpents grew old they must die. The messenger came down to earth and said, rightly enough, "When man is old he shall cast his skin; but when serpents are old they shall die and be laid in coffins." So far so good. But unluckily there happened to be a brood of serpents within hearing, and when they learned the doom pronounced on their kind, they fell into a fury and said to the messenger, "You must say it over again and just the contrary, or we will bite you."

   1918, James George Frazer, Folk-Lore In The Old Testament, volume 1, page 76

   Afterward, in his small room, Nikky composed a neat, 'well-rounded speech, in which he expressed his loyalty, gratitude, and undying devotion to the Crown Prince. It was an elegant little speech. Unluckily, the occasion for it had gone by two hours.

   1917, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Long Live the King!

   M. Berbiguier brought his action for libel; but unluckily, together with his action, he brought himself into Court, and established in a very few words the truth of the libel.

   1837, Albany Fonblanque, England Under Seven Administrations, volume 1, page 98

   Synonyms: unfortunately