fatality

noun

fa·tal·i·ty | \ fā-ˈta-lə-tē

, fə-\

plural fatalities

Definition of fatality

1a : the quality or state of causing death or destruction

b : the quality or condition of being destined for disaster

2 : something established by fate

3a : fate sense 1

b : fatalism

4 : the agent or agency of fate

5a : death resulting from a disaster

b : one that experiences a fatal outcome

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about fatality

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Synonyms for fatality

Synonyms

casualty, loss, prey, victim

Examples of fatality in a Sentence

The car crash caused one fatality and several serious injuries. the grim reminder that every holiday weekend inevitably results in a slew of highway fatalities

Recent Examples on the Web

But with the first fatality and the risk of rains bringing even higher floodwaters into the cave, waiting out the monsoon has become a more and more dangerous option. — Radhika Viswanathan, Vox, "The 4 risky options to rescue the Thai boys trapped in a cave, explained," 7 July 2018 At the time, Kurtenbach’s death was the first spectator fatality at the speedway in nearly three decades. — Zak Keefer, Indianapolis Star, "'It looked like a flying saucer': The story of the last spectator death at the Indy 500," 22 May 2018 The Deadliest Catch cast has also suffered multiple fatalities throughout the years, the most recent being Blake Painter in 2018. — Megan Stein, Country Living, "'Deadliest Catch' Star Mandy Hansen Reveals She 'Lost' Her Baby in Heartbreaking Post," 2 Mar. 2019 FEMA’s report said the fatalities were being reviewed by Puerto Rico’s government. — Laignee Barron, Time, "FEMA Says It Was Significantly Unprepared When Hurricane Maria Hit Puerto Rico," 13 July 2018 Tighter regulations, technology improvements and automation that has led to fewer people working in mines are behind the falling number of mining fatalities, according to data from government agencies and industry groups. — Alistair Macdonald, WSJ, "As Global Mining Fatalities Fall, Brazil Deaths Show Problems Remain," 28 Jan. 2019 Indeed, a private space fatality (during an operational crash, not a test flight) would have major repercussions. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "The 4 Things That Could Hobble the Commercial Space Revolution," 14 Jan. 2019 Add to that the lives saved via cleaner air and water, along with fatalities avoided by mitigating warming. — Julia Belluz, Vox, "7 bad science and health ideas that should die with 2018," 26 Dec. 2018 Density means shorter commutes and less driving, leading to less congestion, fewer road fatalities, and improved health outcomes from cleaner air. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "As cities confront climate change, is density the answer?," 11 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fatality.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.