fatality

noun

fa·​tal·​i·​ty fā-ˈta-lə-tē How to pronounce fatality (audio)
fə-
plural fatalities
Synonyms of fatalitynext
1
a
: the quality or state of causing death or destruction
b
: the quality or condition of being destined for disaster
2
: something established by fate
3
a
: fate sense 1
b
: fatalism
4
: the agent or agency of fate
5
a
: death resulting from a disaster
b
: one that experiences a fatal outcome

Synonyms of fatality

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Examples of fatality in a Sentence

The car crash caused one fatality and several serious injuries. the grim reminder that every holiday weekend inevitably results in a slew of highway fatalities
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
According to the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives, Zheng's death marks the 11th fatality involving a pedestrian or cyclist on the two-mile section of Third Avenue beneath the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway since 2014. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Details about the second fatality were not immediately provided. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Sacramento counties reported the highest numbers of fatalities. — Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026 John’s hacking skills prove useful, as does the T-800’s extensive firepower—although per John’s instructions, there are zero human fatalities. — ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fatality

Word History

Etymology

Middle French fatalité, from Late Latin fatalitat-, fatalitas, from Latin fatalis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fatality was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing fatality

Rhymes for fatality

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Browse Nearby Words

fatalistic
fatality
fatality rate
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Cite this Entry

“Fatality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatality. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fatality

noun
fa·​tal·​i·​ty fā-ˈtal-ət-ē How to pronounce fatality (audio)
fə-
plural fatalities
: a death resulting from a disaster or accident

Medical Definition

fatality

noun
fa·​tal·​i·​ty fā-ˈtal-ət-ē, fə- How to pronounce fatality (audio)
plural fatalities
1
: the quality or state of causing death or destruction : deadliness
the degree of fatality of a disease
2
a
: death resulting from a disaster
a car crash causing several fatalities
b
: one who suffers such a death
one of the fatalities was a small child
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