providential

adjective

prov·​i·​den·​tial ˌprä-və-ˈden(t)-shəl How to pronounce providential (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or determined by Providence
2
archaic : marked by foresight : prudent
3
: occurring by or as if by an intervention of Providence
a providential escape
providentially adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for providential

lucky, fortunate, happy, providential mean meeting with unforeseen success.

lucky stresses the role of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond what one deserves.

fortunate in my investments

happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed.

a series of happy accidents

providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

Examples of providential in a Sentence

We had made a providential escape. It seemed providential that he should arrive at just that moment.
Recent Examples on the Web Their switch to EVs was also providential. IEEE Spectrum, 3 Dec. 2022 Her support in polls steadily expanded from 4 percent in 2018 to 25 percent in a country where even moderate voters have grown numb to Fascist-Communist name calling, but remain enthusiastic about new, and potentially providential, leaders. Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2022 Helping to weave all those strands into a single, elegant narrative is an Emory University astrochemist with a providential name: Susanna Widicus Weaver. Andrew Grant, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2011 Russia’s longstanding pursuit of a global position beyond its means—its aspiration to be a providential power, with a special mission in the world—has led it, again and again, to autocratic rule. WSJ, 4 Nov. 2022 Many a past biographer has observed that Lincoln understood himself as an actor in a providential drama. John Fabian Witt, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2022 Meacham bids to be the redeemer in chief of the narrative of American exceptionalism: the venerable if now-shopworn story in which the United States has a providential and world-historic role as a nation distinctively dedicated to human liberty. John Fabian Witt, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2022 Church tradition affirms the providential nature of international commerce. Dylan Pahman, WSJ, 20 Oct. 2022 Her support in polls steadily expanded from 4 percent in 2018 to 25 percent in a country where even moderate voters have grown numb to fascist-communist name-calling but remain enthusiastic about new and potentially providential leaders. Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'providential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of providential was in 1648

Dictionary Entries Near providential

Cite this Entry

“Providential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/providential. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

providential

adjective
prov·​i·​den·​tial ˌpräv-ə-ˈden-chəl How to pronounce providential (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or determined by Providence
providential guidance
2
: fortunate sense 1, timely
a providential escape
providentially adverb

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