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 Again and again, Misty comes fully alive in the presence of others—a saving grace in a town that still often runs on chance meetings, fateful reunions, and testy but resilient relationships. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 The change in national attitudes since that fateful day has been moderate and consistent with what came before. — Dahlia Scheindlin, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 Netanyahu’s opponents accuse him of a litany of failures before and after that fateful day. — Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026 On that fateful day in February, the person who should have been protecting their children shattered their lives. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fateful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fateful
  1. disastrous
  2. fatal
  3. unfortunate
  4. catastrophic
Adjective
  • But real power, particularly in numbers, can make things happen or stop really disastrous things from happening.
    — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The 46-year-old was dismissed from the Mets halfway through the 2026 season after a disastrous start, which included a 12-game losing streak in April.
    — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of disastrous
Adjective
  • In 2006, a 45-year-old with a heart condition suffered a fatal heart attack while aboard the park's Goliath ride.
    — DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Mystery still surrounds the fatal shooting on the set of Alec Baldwin’s Western Rust, an incident that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of fatal
Adjective
  • Neighbors shocked about stabbing Neighbors say Thomas was known to have mental health issues and called the stabbing unfortunate.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • To make matters worse, India’s Supreme Court, another vital democratic institution, has also played an unfortunate role in this train of events.
    — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfortunate
Adjective
  • Six Flags Magic Mountain permanently closed its X2 roller coaster after multiple lawsuits accused the attraction of causing catastrophic brain injuries.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • So, Correa repeatedly assured voters that abandoning the dollar would be catastrophic and was not on his agenda.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 13 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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