fateful

adjective

ˈfāt-fəl How to pronounce fateful (audio)
Definition of fatefulnext
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune a fateful encounter with a confidence man that they would long regret

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fateful differ from other similar words?

The words ominous and portentous are common synonyms of fateful. While all three words mean "having a menacing or threatening aspect," fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance.

the fateful conference that led to war

Where would ominous be a reasonable alternative to fateful?

Although the words ominous and fateful have much in common, ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster.

ominous rumblings from the volcano

When is it sensible to use portentous instead of fateful?

While the synonyms portentous and fateful are close in meaning, portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity.

an eerie and portentous stillness

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fateful Season 5 picks up almost exactly where Season 4 left off, and its eight episodes — reduced slightly from the previously standard 10 — play out over the course of a single day, tracing the build-up to and duration of one fateful dinner service. — Alison Herman, Variety, 25 June 2026 Knight treated the enthusiastic Annecy crowd to a look at the entire opening act of the film, introducing Prue Mckeel and her family in Portland as well as the events leading up to the fateful kidnapping of her brother. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 June 2026 Alcock and Gillespie discuss a fateful decision that Kara makes in the DC superhero movie as well as her changing dynamic with her cousin Clark Kent, aka Superman (David Corenswet). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 June 2026 After some fateful encounters with people in the Everglades, namely folk artist Tom Gaskins and fifth-generation Floridian Oscar Thompson, Butcher went from being a swamp skeptic to one of the land’s biggest advocates. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fateful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fateful
  1. disastrous
  2. fatal
  3. unfortunate
  4. catastrophic
Adjective
  • The last time Rushing caught Ohtani, the pitcher took over pitch-calling after a disastrous second inning against the Twins last week.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • 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.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of disastrous
Adjective
  • Although most people recover from Legionnaires' disease with antibiotics, certain patients -- including those who are immunocompromised or who suffer from chronic lung diseases -- can develop complications that can be fatal.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 7 July 2026
  • The Grand Prairie Police Department is investigating a fatal crash in which a passenger vehicle hit a pedestrian.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Definition of fatal
Adjective
  • 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.
    — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Seth Turner, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of unfortunate
Adjective
  • On the narrow question of AI’s most catastrophic risks, the major powers are beginning to agree.
    — Mark Minevich, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Preexisting callus consistent with a repetitive stress injury leading to a catastrophic musculoskeletal failure.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Definition of catastrophic

Browse Nearby Words

fated
fateful
fates
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Cite this Entry

“Fateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fateful. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fateful

Nglish: Translation of fateful for Spanish Speakers

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