Synonyms of fatal

fatal

adjective

ˈfā-tᵊl 

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

• disastrous
• catastrophic
• unfortunate
• cataclysmic
• destructive
• fateful
• ruinous
• calamitous
• damning
• damaging
• adverse
• apocalyptic
• harmful
• cataclysmal
• detrimental
• injurious
• pernicious
• deleterious
• apocalyptical
• luckless
• hapless
• baneful
• evil
• prejudicial
• ill-fated
• hurtful
• ill-starred
• noxious
• ill
• baleful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fortuitous
• lucky
• fortunate
• happy
• providential
• fluky
• fair
• promising
• flukey
• golden
• optimistic
• propitious
• bright
• hopeful
• encouraging
• rosy
• auspicious
• heartening
• upbeat
• rose-colored

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

• lethal
• deadly
• poisonous
• infectious
• infective
• killer
• harmful
• terminal
• dangerous
• toxic
• deathly
• mortal
• murderous
• baleful
• injurious
• fell
• destructive
• hazardous
• pernicious
• vital
• deleterious
• pestilent
• serious
• baneful
• virulent
• risky
• perilous
• sublethal
• noxious
• pestilential
• threatening
• ugly
• bloody
• truculent
• grievous
• menacing
• sanguinary
• unhealthy
• grave
• parlous
• unsound
• jeopardizing
• sanguine
• internecine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonfatal
• healthy
• beneficial
• healthful
• nonlethal
• wholesome
• salutary
• corrective
• salubrious
• remedial
• restorative
• curative
• useful
• advantageous
• tonic
• safe
• nontoxic
• alleviative
• nonpoisonous

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

Recent Examples of fatal

The shooting marks the city’s 101st homicide in 2025, compared to 93 at this time last year, according to data tracked by The Star; the total includes fatal police shootings. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2025

Investigators determined through security footage and witnesses’ accounts that the fatal altercation took place during an event at the Folsom bar. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Along with charges connected to the fatal crash, Salgado pleaded guilty to hit-and-run causing injury for striking another vehicle earlier in the pursuit and felony evading for a separate San Diego police chase that occurred about seven months before the fatal crash. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025

Simmons said very few improvements have been made to the highway, even as the fatal accidents continue to happen. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025