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 New evidence emerged, including confirmation from a witness who identified the suspect as the driver in the fatal crash and validation of toxicology results from the time of the crash, according to Menendez Abdala’s new arrest warrant. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025 According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), emergency services were alerted to a fatal incident on Saturday. Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025 After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025 Key Background Mangione, 27, was arrested in December following a days-long manhunt after the fatal shooting of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, and in April, he was indicted on four federal charges, including murder. Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fatal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatal
Adjective
  • Schools’ failure to follow IEPs has resulted in disastrous cases of educational neglect for students like Makenley and Maddox O’Connor.
    IndyStar, IndyStar, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The New York Jets sent that message to Rodgers following a disastrous two-year term.
    Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This mix of impulsivity and ambivalence highlights why a safe environment – without access to firearms or other lethal methods – can be the difference between life and death for someone in crisis.
    Emmy Betz, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Executions are on hold in Idaho as the state prison system remodels its execution chamber in the transition from lethal injection to a firing squad as the lead method.
    Kevin Fixler September 5, Idaho Statesman, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared that famine has taken hold in Gaza, affecting more than half a million people—with catastrophic food insecurity already underway.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • To make a mistake with the first year’s winnings is not catastrophic if the winner is going to receive another 25 years’ worth of payments.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Hurricane Ian, the deadliest storm to hit the state since 1935, made landfall in late September 2022.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • She was previously charged with CHILD ABUSE, second-degree domestic assault, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.
    Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Injuries are unfortunate, but shouldn’t be legally actionable outside of cases of true neglect.
    Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • No doubt my disdain for Labor Day has everything to do with its unfortunate spot on the calendar.
    Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fatal. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fatal

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