The phrase "unfortunate times" can refer to a range of unpleasant circumstances, from personal struggles to societal crises. Some synonyms that capture the same sense of difficulty include "hardship," "adversity," "tribulation," and "misfortune." Other options might include "crisis," "disaster," "calamity," or "tragedy." It's important to remember that the language we use to describe challenging times can have an impact on our perception of them, and on how we approach finding solutions or support. Synonyms for "unfortunate times" can help us better express and understand the difficulties we're facing, and may even point us toward more hopeful ways of framing or responding to them.