adverb
sadly; tragically; in vain
Describes an unfortunate or disappointing outcome, often implying that efforts ended in failure or death. Commonly used with verbs like 死ぬ, 敗れる, 終わる.
彼は事故であえなく命を落とした。
He tragically lost his life in the accident.
チームは決勝であえなく敗れた。
The team was sadly defeated in the finals.
Derived from the verb 敢える (aえる, 'to dare') in its negative form, literally meaning 'without daring' or 'unable to do', which evolved into an adverb expressing a pitiful or tragic outcome.