Tough luck is an expression used to express a lack of sympathy, which means experiencing bad luck or an unfortunate situation. There are plenty of synonyms to use when someone is undergoing a difficult time. Some of these are "bad fortune, hard times, difficulty, adversity, misfortune, hardship, trouble, and tough break." Sometimes, tragic circumstances can occur in one's life, and having a range of synonyms to choose from can offer comfort and help in expressing empathy. In times of uncertainty, it's important to remind people that they're not alone, and understanding that there are several ways to say "tough luck" can help to make things a little more comfortable.