Antonyms for the term "wheels of fortune" include words like misfortune, ill luck, bad luck, and hardship. These words denote a sense of difficulty, struggle, and challenges, which are the opposite of the connotations of the phrase "wheels of fortune." While the latter suggests positive outcomes, success, and prosperity, the former highlights the negative aspects of life, such as failure, loss, and adversity. Using antonyms for "wheels of fortune" can be useful in conveying a different tone in writing or adding depth to the portrayal of characters or situations in a story.