destiny

noun

des·​ti·​ny ˈde-stə-nē 

plural destinies

1

: something to which a person or thing is destined : fortune

wants to control his own destiny

2

: a predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency

felt that destiny would determine their future

Synonyms

• circumstance
• doom
• fate
• fortune
• kismet
• lot
• portion

Choose the Right Synonym for destiny

fate, destiny, lot, portion, doom mean a predetermined state or end.

fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end.

the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance

it was her lot to die childless

, portion implying the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

Examples of destiny in a Sentence

They believed it was their destiny to be together.

motivated by a sense of destiny

Recent Examples on the Web

Since the world is tightly interconnected, controlling the digital destiny of your business is key to managing the risks of the ongoing digital transformation. —Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

This week, Alphonse waxes poetic on his beloved New York Knicks, a potential team of destiny that brings to mind the past, present, and future of the city’s hip-hop scene. —Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 May 2025

Cruise, in his public pronouncements, comes across as the CEO of his own destiny, and so there’s something almost messianic about his daringness in these films. —Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2025

Indiana has found a way to come back from massive deficits multiple times during this playoff run, giving thought to them being the team of destiny. —Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English destinee, from Anglo-French, from feminine of destiné, past participle of destiner — see destine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing destiny

• manifest destiny

Kids Definition

destiny

noun

des·​ti·​ny ˈdes-tə-nē 

plural destinies

1

: something to which a person or thing is destined : fortune

2

: the course of events held to be arranged by a superhuman power