fatally

adverb

fa·​tal·​ly ˈfā-tᵊl-ē 

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

d

: in a manner that cannot be easily resisted

… thinks she is fatally attractive …

—J. W. Krutch

Examples of fatally in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

O’Farrell’s inclination for narratives propelled by brutal coincidence and fatally poor timing tenders a Hardy-esque vision of the world, one that emphasizes the rigid, often cruel limits of an individual’s jurisdiction over the course of their life. —Rachel Vorona Cote, Vulture, 2 June 2026

The case drew national scrutiny after Talley allegedly fatally shot a Chicago police officer and wounded another while free on electronic monitoring — a decision made by Lyke ahead of his trial. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026

Two other men who also are believed to be relatives of McFarland were later found fatally shot elsewhere in the city, Kies said. —Madison Lambert, NBC news, 2 June 2026

The murder trial against Texas teenager Karmelo Anthony, who is accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet last year, is getting underway this week. —Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fatally

• postnatally
• prenatally