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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fatal
As the investigation continues, officials said that alcohol may have played a part in the fatal collision, according to the reports.
—
Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
While it is considered safe, unapproved injections or counterfeit injections can come with serious side effects, including botulism, which can be fatal.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
In recent years, scientists have been able to identify many cytokines and create targeted therapies for a host of disabling, sometimes fatal, diseases.
—Jason Liebowitz, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Three people — a 32-year-old, a 50-year-old and a 36-year-old — were taken to hospitals for non-fatal injuries.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fatal
Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
While it is considered safe, unapproved injections or counterfeit injections can come with serious side effects, including botulism, which can be fatal.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
In recent years, scientists have been able to identify many cytokines and create targeted therapies for a host of disabling, sometimes fatal, diseases.
—Jason Liebowitz, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Three people — a 32-year-old, a 50-year-old and a 36-year-old — were taken to hospitals for non-fatal injuries.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fatal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatal
Adjective
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The Arizona Wildcats clobbered Colorado, 52-17, marking another disastrous defeat for Coach Prime.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
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Gottlieb’s team, picked last in the Horizon League preseason poll, hopes to improve on last year’s disastrous 4-28 campaign.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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He’s sent to the deadly planet Genna, where every flora and fauna has evolved to be as lethal as possible, and given the seemingly impossible task of killing a fierce creature known as the Kalisk.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Nov. 2025
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How Nashville police got involved Nashville Police Chief John Drake said the department's specialized investigation unit saw a rise in violent crime two years ago, including non-lethal shootings and homicides connected to the MS-13 gang.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Drone footage showed catastrophic flooding that turned streets into rivers, submerged homes and overturned cars as Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as Tino, dumped more than a month’s worth of rain in only 24 hours in some areas.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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However, this approach defeats the primary purpose of insurance, which is to protect against catastrophic costs in the event of an unexpected medical crisis.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Over time, this computer becomes a deadly antagonist of the astronauts on the ship.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said before the Monday celebration that after a difficult year, which included deadly wildfires, Los Angeles deserves something positive.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Thus a wonderful section on The Jew of Malta climaxes in an unfortunate vision of the text as a secret message to Lord Strange, a wealthy and important patron of the arts.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
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Such an event, let alone two within less than an hour of each other, is both unfortunate and potentially very suspicious.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fatal. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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