What does unpropitiously mean?
Unpropitiously is a formal, literary adverb meaning in an unfavorable, inauspicious, or unluckily unfavorable manner. It is especially appropriate for describing events that begin badly, occur at an inconvenient time, or face circumstances that make success unlikely. The word conveys more than ordinary misfortune because it echoes the older notion of something being propitious, or favorable and auspicious, for a particular purpose. For example, a voyage may begin unpropitiously if storms, political instability, or inadequate preparation threaten it from the outset. The adverb is formed from the adjective unpropitious and is more characteristic of elevated prose, journalism, historical narrative, and formal criticism than of casual conversation. Most speakers would use inauspiciously, unfavorably, or unluckily instead. Unpropitiously is nevertheless a useful word when the writer wishes to emphasize both the unfavorable nature of circumstances and the unfortunate timing or manner in which an action unfolds.
adverbIn an unpropitious or unfavorable manner; unluckily, especially at an inauspicious time.
- In an unpropitious, unfavorable, or inauspicious manner.
"The expedition began unpropitiously, with severe weather delaying the departure for several days."
"The negotiations began unpropitiously when one delegation walked out of the opening session."
"Despite several unpropitiously timed delays, the project was eventually completed."
Unpropitiously is the literary way to say that something happened at the worst possible moment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unpropitiously come from?
The English adverb was formed by adding -ly to the adjective unpropitious. Unpropitious combines the prefix un- with propitious, which derives from Latin propitius, meaning favorable, gracious, or auspicious. Related English forms include propitious, propitiously, propitiousness, and propitiate, all belonging to the same Latin-derived family.
How unpropitiously is actually used
This is a formal and relatively uncommon word, suited to literary, historical, or elevated prose. In everyday speech, inauspiciously or unfavorably is usually more natural.
Easily confused with unpropitiously
Unpropitious is an adjective describing something unfavorable or inauspicious, whereas unpropitiously is an adverb describing an action performed in that manner.