1
: having a quality of ominous prophecy
a fateful remark
2
a
: involving momentous consequences : decisive
made his fateful decision to declare war—
W. L. Shirer
W. L. Shirer
b
3
: controlled by fate : foreordained
fatefulness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of fateful in a Sentence
His life changed on that fateful November evening.
Hundreds perished on that fateful day.
Her campaign took a fateful turn.
Recent Examples on the Web
Putin likes to rationalize his fateful choices by looking to historical analogies.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
Miami shot just 6 for 22 and committed five turnovers in that fateful fourth.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Now, using advanced forensic technologies, military officials have confirmed that Walker was among the 103 USS California crew members killed on that fateful day.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Since that fateful encounter, Daniels has serenaded a galaxy of stars, some more amused than others.
—Alex Kessler, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2024
Her fateful mammogram was the Friday before Labor Day.
—Marc Silver, NPR, 30 Mar. 2024
Unfortunately for her, that fateful plea was the equivalent of trying to avoid sand in the Serengeti.
—Rob Ledonne, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2024
Unbeknownst to all present that fateful day, a musical fire was sparked that continues to burn bright and remain vastly influential to generation after generation of bluegrass players and listeners.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2024
But the Dali's fateful voyage had begun 50 minutes earlier.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 28 Mar. 2024
Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
Miami shot just 6 for 22 and committed five turnovers in that fateful fourth.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Now, using advanced forensic technologies, military officials have confirmed that Walker was among the 103 USS California crew members killed on that fateful day.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Since that fateful encounter, Daniels has serenaded a galaxy of stars, some more amused than others.
—Alex Kessler, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2024
Her fateful mammogram was the Friday before Labor Day.
—Marc Silver, NPR, 30 Mar. 2024
Unfortunately for her, that fateful plea was the equivalent of trying to avoid sand in the Serengeti.
—Rob Ledonne, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2024
Unbeknownst to all present that fateful day, a musical fire was sparked that continues to burn bright and remain vastly influential to generation after generation of bluegrass players and listeners.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2024
But the Dali's fateful voyage had begun 50 minutes earlier.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fateful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Fateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fateful. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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