Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of lucky are fortunate, happy, and providential. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

When is fortunate a more appropriate choice than lucky?

The meanings of fortunate and lucky largely overlap; however, fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

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

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

a series of happy accidents

When can providential be used instead of lucky?

Although the words providential and lucky have much in common, 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 lucky Those interceptions didn’t just come from lucky positioning, Earby said. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2025 Black’s lucky break came because her first boss put her on camera. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025 Tammy Carvey, 45, of Wyandotte, won a Powerball jackpot of $100,000 and says ChatGPT was the secret weapon behind her lucky numbers. Staff, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025 If lucky, this results in a system that can extract half the energy that is theoretically possible. Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lucky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lucky
Adjective
  • In the photos, the couple can be seen smiling and lying on a bed of grass surrounded by an array of white florals, and celebrating their happy news with a sweet kiss and a bottle of champagne.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • So everyone is more or less happy.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Local charities should be able to rely on the city for material and personnel assistance whenever it is required to preserve the lives of our community’s less fortunate.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Justine Lupe and TImothy Simons remind audiences that any show should be fortunate to have them in their cast.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Lucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lucky. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lucky

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!