fatally

adverb

fa·​tal·​ly ˈfā-tᵊl-ē 

1

: in a way determined by fate

2

: in a manner suggesting fate or an act of fate: such as

a

: in a manner resulting in death : mortally

fatally wounded

b

: beyond repair : irrevocably

c

: in a manner resulting in ruin or evil

It is fatally easy to pass off our prejudices as our opinions.

—W. F. Hambly

d

: in a manner that cannot be easily resisted

… thinks she is fatally attractive …

—J. W. Krutch

Examples of fatally in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ten people were shot, five fatally, and others injured by leaping from the balcony in panic as gunfire erupted. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Investigators said the Tesla slammed through a brick home at a high rate of speed, fatally striking Avila. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Prosecutors allege Robinson fatally shot Kirk before fleeing. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Deputies fatally shot an armed man resisting arrest Monday night in a McDonald’s parking lot in Davie, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said. — Sofia Saric june 30, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fatally

• postnatally
• prenatally