1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
I made the fatal mistake of sharing my secret with the office's biggest blabbermouth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
that snake's venom is fatal unless the victim is given the antidote almost immediately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fatal
Pathogenic microbes in the water can cause cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, polio, and typhoid, which could be fatal in areas without access to vaccines or medical treatment.
—
Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 26 July 2025
Last Friday, five more individuals were taken to the hospital due to overdoses, though none were fatal.
—Keith Daniels, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2025
However, attacks on humans are rare: Only six fatal mountain lion attacks on humans have been recorded in the state since 1890.
—Tina Chen, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
Priya allegedly injected her business partner with a fatal overdose of sedatives, Joseph said.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fatal
Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 26 July 2025
Last Friday, five more individuals were taken to the hospital due to overdoses, though none were fatal.
—Keith Daniels, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2025
However, attacks on humans are rare: Only six fatal mountain lion attacks on humans have been recorded in the state since 1890.
—Tina Chen, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
Priya allegedly injected her business partner with a fatal overdose of sedatives, Joseph said.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fatal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatal
Adjective
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Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in June 2024.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
31 July 2025
-
Investors dumped Edison shares amid worries that the company would be found liable for one of the blazes, potentially draining the fund and leaving utilities without a cushion if another disastrous fire hits the state.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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For its lethal injection, Florida uses a combination of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, the outlet reported, citing the state Department of Corrections.—
Lesley Cosme Torres,
People.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Zakrzewski is set to be executed by lethal injection at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday at the at Florida State Prison in Railford, about 45 miles southwest of Jacksonville.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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The man faces five criminal charges including unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
31 July 2025
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The clinic helps prevent the spread of this deadly disease in the U.S.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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Instead, like so many unfortunate accidents since cell phones were invented, this was caused by a distracted driver.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
14 July 2025
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Fortunately for him, that gaffe will be a little easier to live down than Teal and Weinberg’s unfortunate comments.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fatal. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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