Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fatal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fatal are deadly, lethal, and mortal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

When is it sensible to use deadly instead of fatal?

While the synonyms deadly and fatal are close in meaning, deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When would lethal be a good substitute for fatal?

The meanings of lethal and fatal largely overlap; however, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

When might mortal be a better fit than fatal?

The synonyms mortal and fatal are sometimes interchangeable, but mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fatal Security has been especially tight since the fatal shooting last week of Charlie Kirk, a prominent Trump ally. Nik Popli, Time, 17 Sep. 2025 After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025 The headline was updated to indicate the fatal shooting. Jenna Sundel gabe Whisnant hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 Many violent and fatal attacks against women, including the six people killed by Elliot Rodger in California in 2014, have been linked to incel ideology. Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fatal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatal
Adjective
  • The effect was disastrous, my hair crimped weirdly, with sections shooting out in different directions like the discordant notes of an orchestra tuning up.
    Rachel Kushner, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The mid-quarter update offered a glimmer of hope after Six Flags’ disastrous second quarter earnings report in August.
    Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The most recent execution via firing squad in the United States occurred in South Carolina, where Brad Sigmon, 67, was executed in March, opting for the method instead of the electric chair or lethal injection.
    Amanda Castro Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • While officers in the garage tried to find Cook’s firearm before approaching him, Miller from outside the front of the house gave commands to other officers to retrieve a shield and a 40mm less-lethal projectile launcher, the reports showed.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This is a potentially catastrophic mistake.
    Ajay Pundhir, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Arena aims to provide value by helping companies to avoid catastrophic machine failures and reduce the effort necessary to complete safety and maintenance.
    Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Last week's deadly shooting also heightens concerns of university safety protocols and security at public events.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The mid-air collision sent both aircraft hurtling into the Potomac River and left no survivors, becoming the deadliest airline crash in the country since 2001.
    Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Therefore, there are some unfortunate parallels between young Gen Z needing to sacrifice wages due to wavering job opportunities and millennials graduating into the Great Recession.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
  • In today's volatile business climate, layoffs have become an unfortunate reality across industries.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fatal. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fatal

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