1
: in a way determined by fate
2
: in a manner suggesting fate or an act of fate: such as
a
: in a manner resulting in death : mortally
fatally wounded
b
: beyond repair : irrevocably
c
: in a manner resulting in ruin or evil
it is fatally easy to pass off our prejudices as our opinions—
W. F. Hambly
W. F. Hambly
d
: in a manner that cannot be easily resisted
thinks she is fatally attractive—J. W. Krutch
J. W. Krutch
Examples of fatally in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Chicago-area family of four fatally shot along with their three dogs was not killed in a random attack, police said Tuesday.
—Antonio Planas, NBC News, 21 Sep. 2023
India-Canada tensions explained What happened: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an explosive speech Monday, alleging the Indian government was involved in the assassination of a prominent Sikh leader who was fatally shot in June outside Vancouver.
—Bryan Pietsch, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
Two adults and two children, along with their three dogs, were fatally shot in their home in Romeoville, Illinois.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2023
During Davis’ funeral, which took place several weeks after her death, a man was fatally shot, PEOPLE previously reported, citing police in Prince George’s County, Md.
—Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
An investigation is underway after a man was found fatally shot inside his wrecked vehicle in Forestdale.
Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies responded at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday to the 1700 block of Huitt Street.
—Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 19 Sep. 2023
Anthony Jermaine Lewis, now 20, is accused of fatally shooting 59-year-old Leslie Squair Baker during a robbery.
—Aria Jones, Dallas News, 19 Sep. 2023
Mitchell, a freshman at Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills, was fatally shot Friday near the school after Hillcrest’s Homecoming game against Oak Forest High School.
—Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023
Delvonta Green, 27, of Fairborn is charged with fatally shooting Brandon Morris, 42, of Cleveland, according to court records and the office of the Cuyahoga County medical examiner’s office.
—Olivia Mitchell, cleveland, 18 Sep. 2023
See More
Antonio Planas, NBC News, 21 Sep. 2023
India-Canada tensions explained What happened: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an explosive speech Monday, alleging the Indian government was involved in the assassination of a prominent Sikh leader who was fatally shot in June outside Vancouver.
—Bryan Pietsch, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2023
Two adults and two children, along with their three dogs, were fatally shot in their home in Romeoville, Illinois.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2023
During Davis’ funeral, which took place several weeks after her death, a man was fatally shot, PEOPLE previously reported, citing police in Prince George’s County, Md.
—Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
An investigation is underway after a man was found fatally shot inside his wrecked vehicle in Forestdale.
Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies responded at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday to the 1700 block of Huitt Street.
—Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 19 Sep. 2023
Anthony Jermaine Lewis, now 20, is accused of fatally shooting 59-year-old Leslie Squair Baker during a robbery.
—Aria Jones, Dallas News, 19 Sep. 2023
Mitchell, a freshman at Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills, was fatally shot Friday near the school after Hillcrest’s Homecoming game against Oak Forest High School.
—Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023
Delvonta Green, 27, of Fairborn is charged with fatally shooting Brandon Morris, 42, of Cleveland, according to court records and the office of the Cuyahoga County medical examiner’s office.
—Olivia Mitchell, cleveland, 18 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fatally.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of fatally was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near fatally
Cite this Entry
“Fatally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatally. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on fatally
Nglish: Translation of fatally for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fatally for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share