fate 1 of 2

Definition of fatenext
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fate

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fate distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fate are destiny, doom, lot, and portion. While all these words mean "a predetermined state or end," fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

When is it sensible to use destiny instead of fate?

The words destiny and fate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Where would doom be a reasonable alternative to fate?

The synonyms doom and fate are sometimes interchangeable, but doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

How do lot and portion relate to one another, in the sense of fate?

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 fate?

While in some cases nearly identical to fate, portion implies the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

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 fate
Noun
Workplaces won’t be the same in the AI era, and many employees are handwringing over the fate of their careers as mundane work tasks are automated, organizational charts are reimagined, and hiring slows. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 May 2026 The center denies that such greenlights are needed, while pushing back on Beatty’s claim that the complex may suffer the same fate as the White House East Wing, which is to say it would be torn down. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 May 2026
Verb
But with challenges or recent decisions across multiple circuits, experts say the fight is fated for the Supreme Court. Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026 The results are not pre-selected by some conspiracy, nor are they fated. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fate
Noun
  • There are signs that some part of him anticipated his enterprise’s destiny from the beginning.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
  • To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teela (Camila Mendes) and Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), and embrace his true destiny as He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 20 May 2026
Noun
  • An unprecedented stinker of an outcome.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • The real fix is to redesign the work so that a single team, with clear decision authority, can own an outcome end to end.
    Steve Taplin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Noun
  • Joining me to discuss rising production costs, shifts in viewing preferences, and the demise of one of the pillars of late night television is USA TODAY TV Critic Kelly Lawler.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 19 May 2026
  • In the series finale, in which every character meets their demise, Keith owns his own security company but is strangely still physically moving cash around in an armored truck when he is gunned down in the year 2029.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Like the nun Beate before her, Susanna seems destined, as punishment for her overwhelming ardor, to be walled into the convent.
    Caroline Lillian Schopp, Artforum, 13 May 2026
  • The Spurs already feel destined for perennial future success because of Wembanyama.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • As a result, the central government took drastic steps in 2020 to rein in a freewheeling property sector that once accounted for 30% of the country’s economic activity.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
  • In neighboring Uganda, officials said laboratory results confirmed two cases in the capital of Kampala − including one death − among people traveling from Congo with no apparent link to each other.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Notably, the movie omitted the slew of allegations that followed Jackson from the ’90s until his death in 2009.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026
  • Police said no arrests have been made in connection with the death and Grayson’s cause of death has not been determined.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • Irwin, at first, looks like the protagonist of the film, a naive man who has faith in hard work and straight shooting and providing a better life for his kids, and who seems doomed to be pushed into terrible things.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 17 May 2026
  • What’s doomed the Rays in recent years has been injuries, particularly to their starting pitchers — five top Rays starters had Tommy John surgery since 2020 and two of their current starters, Shane McClanahan and Drew Rasmussen have had multiple TJ surgeries.
    Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • One potential drawback of the proposal for higher tuition rates could be a resultant drop in enrollment levels of nonresident students.
    Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
  • The resultant musical needed greater expansion of character, a gentler, simpler touch, a better sense of authentic teenage angst and a deeper focus on the heart.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fate. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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