fateful

fate·ful

adjective \ˈfāt-fəl\

Definition of FATEFUL

1

: having a quality of ominous prophecy <a fateful remark>

2

a : involving momentous consequences : decisive <made his fateful decision to declare war — W. L. Shirer>

b : deadly, catastrophic

3

: controlled by fate : foreordained

— fate·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— fate·ful·ness noun

Examples of FATEFUL

1. His life changed on that fateful November evening.
2. Hundreds perished on that fateful day.
3. Her campaign took a fateful turn.

First Known Use of FATEFUL

circa 1720

Related to FATEFUL

Synonyms

calamitous, cataclysmal (or cataclysmic), catastrophic, damning, destructive, disastrous, fatal, ruinous, unfortunate

Related Words

apocalyptic (also apocalyptical); hapless, ill-fated, ill-starred, luckless; adverse, baleful, baneful, damaging, deleterious, detrimental, evil, harmful, hurtful, ill, injurious, noxious, pernicious, prejudicial

Near Antonyms

fluky (also flukey), fortuitous, fortunate, happy, lucky, providential; auspicious, bright, encouraging, fair, golden, heartening, hopeful, optimistic, promising, propitious, rose-colored, rosy, upbeat

See Synonym Discussion at ominous

Rhymes with FATEFUL

grateful, hateful