destiny

noun

des·​ti·​ny ˈde-stə-nē 

plural destinies

1

: something to which a person or thing is destined : fortune

want to control my own destiny

2

: a predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency

felt that destiny would determine their future

Synonyms of destiny

• fate

Choose the Right Synonym for destiny

fate, destiny, lot, portion, doom mean a predetermined state or end.

fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end.

the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance,

it was her lot to die childless

portion implying the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

Examples of destiny in a Sentence

They believed it was their destiny to be together.

motivated by a sense of destiny

Recent Examples on the Web

And with the team dropping Monday night’s home matchup against the Atlanta Dream, 95-84, the Liberty lost any chance to host in the first round, and completely lost the opportunity to control its own destiny. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026

Combs was a beacon of inspiration not just for the Black community, but for those who admired the classic American spirit of forging one’s own destiny. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

The play follows a rodeo clown named Dale, who dreams of being a cowboy but has his life upended when his anthropomorphized shadow, Dilly Dally, pushes him to take control of his destiny. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Aries is the zodiac sign of the leader, of passion, of independence and of pursuing one’s individual destiny. — Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English destinee, from Anglo-French, from feminine of destiné, past participle of destiner — see destine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing destiny

• manifest destiny

Kids Definition

destiny

noun

des·​ti·​ny ˈdes-tə-nē 

plural destinies

1

: something to which a person or thing is destined : fortune

2

: the course of events held to be arranged by a superhuman power