Synonym Chooser

How is the word fortunate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fortunate are happy, lucky, and providential. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

How does the word happy relate to other synonyms for fortunate?

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

a series of happy accidents

When is lucky a more appropriate choice than fortunate?

While the synonyms lucky and fortunate are close in meaning, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

Where would providential be a reasonable alternative to fortunate?

In some situations, the words providential and fortunate are roughly equivalent. However, providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

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 fortunate The Liberty now are fortunate Sabally decided to skip this year’s Eurobasket. Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 22 June 2025 Sabalenka, one of the favorites to lift the Wimbledon title this year, had saved four match points in a tiebreak to escape 2022 champion Elena Rybakina the previous day, one of them coming via a fortunate net cord. James Hansen, New York Times, 21 June 2025 In the here and now, Messi and Messi alone is on the mind of everyone fortunate enough to witness him in action. Glen Levy, CNN Money, 20 June 2025 The decision to establish this program at the middle school stemmed from a fortunate combination of timing and opportunity. Jenelyn Russo, Oc Register, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortunate
Adjective
  • Mejia describes a happy childhood, always tinkering and creating.
    Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Keeping your dog safe and happy on an outdoor adventure is about more than just bringing extra water and snacks, too.
    Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Big lottery wins around the U.S. include a lucky lottery ticketholder in California who won a $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024.
    Jay Cannon, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • The lucky ticket was sold at a Quik Stop in Gilroy, which is about an 85-mile drive southeast from San Francisco, the lottery said.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortunate. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fortunate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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