Synonyms of doom

doom 1 of 2

noun

ˈdüm 

1

as in ruling

a decision made by a court or tribunal regarding a case it has heard

the judge solemnly pronounced his doom before a hushed courtroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ruling
• sentence
• verdict
• judgment
• finding
• decision
• opinion
• holding
• declaration
• injunction
• punishment
• decree
• pronouncement
• inquest
• deliverance
• determination
• order
• conclusion
• penalty
• resolution
• award
• edict
• authority
• dictum
• arbitrament
• discipline

2

as in destiny

a state or end that seemingly has been decided beforehand

it was her doom to be haunted by the memory of that terrible day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• destiny
• fate
• fortune
• chance
• circumstance
• portion
• luck
• kismet
• hazard
• accident
• lot
• effect
• predestination
• outcome
• result
• casualty
• development
• happenchance
• happenstance
• issue
• aftermath
• resultant
• consequence
• sequel
• hap
• upshot
• fruit
• sequence
• conclusion
• outgrowth
• aftereffect

3

as in demise

the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities

met his doom at the hands of a rampaging rhinoceros

Synonyms & Similar Words

• demise
• death
• fate
• passing
• dissolution
• grave
• end
• expiration
• decease
• exit
• sleep
• curtains
• passage
• destruction
• suicide
• expiry
• quietus
• great divide
• assassination
• fatality
• ending
• martyrdom
• annihilation
• casualty
• ruin
• execution
• extermination
• self-destruction
• slaughter
• killing
• massacre
• self-slaughter
• self-murder

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• birth
• life
• existence
• rise
• nativity
• creation
• genesis
• origination

doom

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to destine

to determine the fate of in advance

the actor felt that he was doomed to be forever remembered for that one terrible performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• destine
• fate
• ordain
• foredoom
• predict
• predetermine
• predestine
• preordain
• foreordain
• condemn
• presage
• sentence
• prophesy
• foretell
• forecast
• prognosticate
• augur
• portend
• forebode
• divine
• foresee
• bode
• prejudge
• anticipate
• predestinate
• preconceive
• foreknow

2

as in to sentence

to impose a judicial punishment on

doomed the murderer to life in prison without the possibility of parole

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sentence
• condemn
• punish
• damn
• discipline
• decree
• penalize
• judge
• correct
• censure
• rule
• adjudge
• find
• chastise
• resolve
• chasten
• opine
• determine
• decide
• castigate
• conclude

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pardon
• reprieve

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of doom

Noun

Local fisherman Wyck Crawford, played by a delightfully rascally Stephen Root, serves as Loftis’ human antagonist, warning the mayor of impending doom. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Enjoy perpetually clear skies and a sense of impending doom while looking after Cerberus. — Brandon Follick, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

The law has been criticized as anachronistic and sexist and the revision sparked outrage and concern that the measure could doom the already shrinking imperial family. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Right before that vote, DeCiccio stressed Merrywood was doomed despite the community wanting to save it because no one had come forward to buy and preserve it. — Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026