1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
I made the fatal mistake of sharing my secret with the office's biggest blabbermouth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
that snake's venom is fatal unless the victim is given the antidote almost immediately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fatal
Ashley Moore, 37, of Lawndale, was treating a patient in the back of the ambulance when she was thrown out and suffered fatal injuries, investigators say.
—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
6 July 2026
Their fatal flaw, this time around, wasn’t walking away from the LeBron mandate.
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Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
6 July 2026
The 12-foot alligator believed responsible for the fatal attack was later captured by Florida wildlife officials and put down, authorities said in the examiner’s report.
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Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
6 July 2026
The killing is Kansas City’s 73th homicide of the year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.
—
Kansas City Star,
6 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for fatal
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
6 July 2026
Their fatal flaw, this time around, wasn’t walking away from the LeBron mandate.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
6 July 2026
The 12-foot alligator believed responsible for the fatal attack was later captured by Florida wildlife officials and put down, authorities said in the examiner’s report.
—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
6 July 2026
The killing is Kansas City’s 73th homicide of the year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.
—
Kansas City Star,
6 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for fatal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatal
Adjective
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The last time Rushing caught Ohtani, the pitcher took over pitch-calling after a disastrous second inning against the Twins last week.
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Since his disastrous tenure with the New York Yankees from 2016 to 2022, which included a suspension for violating MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy, Chapman has worked to turn around his career.
Adjective
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The theory is that individuals became infected by a strain that was particularly lethal to the young through close contact with marmots (rodents that are known reservoirs of the plague), perhaps while butchering them.
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Hubris and risk aversion make for a lethal cocktail in high-level professional sports.
Adjective
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On the narrow question of AI’s most catastrophic risks, the major powers are beginning to agree.
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Preexisting callus consistent with a repetitive stress injury leading to a catastrophic musculoskeletal failure.
Adjective
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When the Guadalupe River surged through Texas Hill Country last summer, Elida Sierra Lutz and her three children were swept into the deadly flooding like debris in the current.
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Written and directed by YouTube filmmaker Curry Barker, the film, made for $750,000, tells a twisted tale of love with deadly consequences.
Adjective
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As attendees were escorted out of the Great American State Fair on Sunday because of inclement weather, guests noticed an unfortunate typo displayed on a digital billboard at the National Mall.
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They should be trained not to ask a bunch of questions about the medical condition, express doubt, comment that the timing is unfortunate or share private information with co-workers.
Cite this Entry
“Fatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fatal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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