fa·tal·ism
ˈfā-tə-ˌli-zəm
: a doctrine that events are fixed in advance so that human beings are powerless to change them
also
: a belief in or attitude determined by this doctrine
fatalism that regards social problems as simply inevitable
fa·tal·is·tic
-tēk
1
: relating to, implying, or consisting of fatalism
a fatalistic philosophy
sorrowful but fatalistic acceptance—A. D. Coleman
2
: believing in or inclined to fatalism
a fatalistic people
Cite this Entry
“Fatalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatalism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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