Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fateful differ from other similar words?

The words ominous and portentous are common synonyms of fateful. While all three words mean "having a menacing or threatening aspect," fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance.

the fateful conference that led to war

Where would ominous be a reasonable alternative to fateful?

Although the words ominous and fateful have much in common, ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster.

ominous rumblings from the volcano

When is it sensible to use portentous instead of fateful?

While the synonyms portentous and fateful are close in meaning, portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity.

an eerie and portentous stillness

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 fateful With Bush out of town on that fateful day, Cheney was a steady presence in the White House, at least until Secret Service agents lifted him off his feet and carried him away, in a scene the vice president later described to comical effect. Calvin Woodward, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025 Since that fateful day in May 2023, Truwit’s journey has been remarkable and inspirational. Don Riddell, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025 In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Siddiqui and Kripalani recall their fateful first interaction and go on to talk about the video calls during the pandemic that first inspired the script for I’m Not An Actor. Sara Merican, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025 The story blends supernatural horror with a twist reminiscent of The Twilight Zone, following a church organist (Candace Hilligoss) whose cross-country road trip after a fateful car accident is beset with ghostly horror. Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fateful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fateful
Adjective
  • The spotlight increased after a disastrous interview with CBS to promote the legendary coach’s book.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Second goal breaks Charlotte’s back The second half opened with a disastrous sequence for Charlotte.
    Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet a drumbeat of Mamdani’s past statements about Israel did not prove politically fatal in New York City in 2025.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The special explores theories about why the thieves targeted specific displays, who orchestrated this brazen operation and which fatal flaws in their plan ultimately led to their capture.
    Peter White, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Liverpool were competitive in the first half, and perhaps unfortunate to see Virgil van Dijk’s equaliser ruled out for interference from an offside position, but City pressed home their advantage through the brilliance of left-winger Jeremy Doku.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The story takes place at a grand country house where the guests have an unfortunate habit of dying, or nearly dying, under seemingly unrelated circumstances.
    Anna Russell, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Drone footage showed catastrophic flooding that turned streets into rivers, submerged homes and overturned cars as Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as Tino, dumped more than a month’s worth of rain in only 24 hours in some areas.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • However, this approach defeats the primary purpose of insurance, which is to protect against catastrophic costs in the event of an unexpected medical crisis.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fateful. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fateful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!