Thesaurus results for FATAL

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fatal

adjective

Definition of fatal next

as in disastrous

bringing about ruin or misfortune I made the fatal mistake of sharing my secret with the office's biggest blabbermouth

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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