doom 1 of 2

Definition of doomnext

doom

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word doom distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of doom are destiny, fate, lot, and portion. While all these words mean "a predetermined state or end," doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

When is destiny a more appropriate choice than doom?

The words destiny and doom can be used in similar contexts, but destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end.

the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

When would fate be a good substitute for doom?

While in some cases nearly identical to doom, fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

How are the words lot and portion related as synonyms of doom?

Both lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance.

it was her lot to die childless

In what contexts can portion take the place of doom?

Although the words portion and doom have much in common, portion implies the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

How is the word doom distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of doom are destiny, fate, lot, and portion. While all these words mean "a predetermined state or end," doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

When is destiny a more appropriate choice than doom?

The words destiny and doom can be used in similar contexts, but destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end.

the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

When would fate be a good substitute for doom?

While in some cases nearly identical to doom, fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

How are the words lot and portion related as synonyms of doom?

Both lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance.

it was her lot to die childless

In what contexts can portion take the place of doom?

Although the words portion and doom have much in common, portion implies the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

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 doom
Noun
Iran has pledged to retaliate against such facilities in Israel, meaning the entire Middle East may be on the brink of cataclysmic doom — with or without the terrifying prospect of nuclear strikes. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026 As much as our financial systems seems to be stuck in a doom loop, the economy has been remarkably resilient. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
For while their stories live on, history may not be doomed to repeat them. Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026 Still, the relationship between them was doomed from the start. Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for doom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doom
Noun
  • Two bills discussed in a Minnesota Senate committee on Wednesday were drafted prior to the ruling, which does not immediately strike down Minnesota's law.
    Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • World Athletics, the governing body for track and field, introduced a ruling with similar requirements last July, in time for September’s Tokyo World Championships.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Comet's date with destiny On Saturday, all eyes were monitoring the comet's progress using the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) C2 and C3 cameras, as well as the Compact Coronagraph (CCOR) on the GOES 19 satellite.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The team doesn’t control its own destiny for spots 5-8 in the conference.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Both Kardashian and Odom open up in the episode about the demise of their relationship while the reality star was attempting to help Odom recover.
    Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
  • When science said dinosaurs were pea-brained and cold-blooded, humans took their demise as proof of the superiority of warm, clever mammals.
    Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Even those who win court awards or settlements against Prospect seem destined to be treated as unsecured claims in the company’s bankruptcy.
    Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 9 Apr. 2026
  • No teams are destined to win anymore, except for maybe a 1 seed against a 16 seed.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • He was sentenced to 12 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Prosecutors charged him with second-degree murder, and if his plea deal is accepted, he'll be sentenced to 261 months.
    WCCO Staff, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In the end, though, what made the verdict remarkable was the relative ordinariness of Kaley’s story.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Konig stood as the jury’s foreperson announced the verdict, then closed his eyes and lowered his face.
    Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • One of the men accused of planning a mass shooting at a Pontiac, Michigan, high school graduation last June learned his fate in court on Tuesday.
    Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The fate of the petrodollar is at an inflection point during the Iran war.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In their affidavit filed in court, officers paint Watson’s death as a drug deal gone wrong.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Her death is being investigated as a homicide.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Doom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doom. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on doom

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster