fatalism
noun
fa·tal·ism
ˈfā-tə-ˌli-zəm 
: a doctrine that events are fixed in advance so that human beings are powerless to change them
also
: a belief in or attitude determined by this doctrine
fatalism that regards social problems as simply inevitable
Examples of fatalism in a Sentence
Many people seem to have developed a sense of fatalism about the war.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mournful fatalism is the requisite emotion, even when mad fury would be more apt.
—
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
This is not a moment for fatalism or disengagement.
—William J. Burns, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2016
Show Notes Transcript In Washington, there is a growing fatalism that a confrontation with China is unavoidable—and perhaps even necessary.
—Jessica Chen Weiss, Foreign Affairs, 15 Sep. 2022
Longstreth approached the situation with a kind of fatalism.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fatalism
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Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
This is not a moment for fatalism or disengagement.
—William J. Burns, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2016
Show Notes Transcript In Washington, there is a growing fatalism that a confrontation with China is unavoidable—and perhaps even necessary.
—Jessica Chen Weiss, Foreign Affairs, 15 Sep. 2022
Longstreth approached the situation with a kind of fatalism.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fatalism
Cite this Entry
“Fatalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatalism. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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fatalism
noun
fa·tal·ism
ˈfāt-ᵊl-ˌiz-əm
: the belief or attitude that events are decided in advance by powers beyond one's control
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