MORTAL Synonyms: 292 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'mortal' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mortal are deadly , fatal , and lethal . While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable. // a mortal wound

Q: When might 'deadly' be a better fit than 'mortal'?

While in some cases nearly identical to mortal , deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death. // a deadly disease

Q: When is 'fatal' a more appropriate choice than 'mortal'?

The words fatal and mortal can be used in similar contexts, but fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction. // fatal consequences

Q: Where would 'lethal' be a reasonable alternative to 'mortal'?

In some situations, the words lethal and mortal are roughly equivalent. However, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life. // lethal gas

mortal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmȯr-tᵊl

Definition of mortal

as in lethal

likely to cause or capable of causing death a mortal wound

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deadly

of, relating to, or suggestive of death a wounded soldier writhing in mortal agony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in human

relating to or characteristic of human beings just an ordinary guy with all the usual mortal limitations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hostile

marked by opposition or ill will have always had a mortal aversion to narcissistic people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mortal

2 of 2

noun

as in person

a member of the human race just an ordinary mortal living an ordinary life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective mortal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mortal are deadly, fatal, and lethal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

When might deadly be a better fit than mortal?

While in some cases nearly identical to mortal, deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When is fatal a more appropriate choice than mortal?

The words fatal and mortal can be used in similar contexts, but fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

Where would lethal be a reasonable alternative to mortal?

In some situations, the words lethal and mortal are roughly equivalent. However, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

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 mortal

Adjective

Jesse is married to Phyllis (Rose Abdoo), a mortal woman who doesn’t know that her never-aging husband is a vampire. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026 Syracuse plunged what sure felt like the mortal dagger early in the third quarter. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

Noun

Unlike other Olympians, who were often violent and wrathful, the Graces showed kindness and care to their fellow gods and mortals alike—bestowers of grace in every context. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 Atlanta — Professional athletes are often held up as something above and beyond the mere mortals who pay hefty ticket prices to be in the stands. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mortal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortal

Adjective

Just two days earlier, Florida executed James Robertson by lethal injection at the same prison.

— Richard Nichols, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Prison staff gave Pike two doses of pentobarbital, the drug used for lethal injections.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of lethal

Adjective

Measles usually kills two or three people in every 1,000 cases, the WHO says, but the disease can be more deadly in poorer nations because of factors such as malnutrition.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
The deadly fire erupted Saturday at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, where fierce winds fueled flames that spread beyond the installation and into surrounding rural areas.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of deadly

Adjective

That night, Lee goes to Ginger’s house to tell her what happened — about his hostile showdown with the rupidoop, about Brawny Dude With the Butter Candies checking out Lee’s van in the Boontill parking lot.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
The trip to Leeds is another daunting assignment for United in what is usually a hostile atmosphere.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of hostile

Adjective

Another e-bike rider died over the weekend in Huntington Beach, marking the second fatal incident involving an e-bike in the coastal city in months.

— Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Presley, Crawford’s son and Kaia’s older brother, died of a fatal overdose inside a rehab facility after years of struggling with addiction and his mental health.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of fatal

Adjective

Two men were found dead inside a Long Beach home after one of them exchanged shots with police and sparked a standoff with SWAT officers in a residential neighborhood early Saturday morning, police said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2026
The film follows a Polish burglar who assumes the identity of a dead stranger’s girlfriend, with unexpected results.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of dead

Adjective

To that end, Musk’s average favorability rating — net negative 16 percentage points as of Wednesday, according to Decision Desk HQ — has additionally improved, although only slightly, since July 2025 when his favorability was at its nadir.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
The beats create ample negative space for Holden to employ riskier flows, often deploying a double-time pace to burn through technically dense passages.

— Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of negative

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morsels

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mortalities

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Style

“Mortal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortal. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mortal

adjective

noun

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