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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
The week ahead is sure to bring some twists of fate, with some people seeing breakthroughs while others face shocking breakdowns. Kyle Thomas, People.com, 11 May 2025 Twain was both a brilliant writer who exposed America’s hypocrisies with humor and wit, and an angry man who savored revenge, nursed grudges and blamed God for the blows fate rained down on his head. Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
Verb
When you’re fated Photo: HBO Not to regress, but Rick and Chelsea are totes OTP. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025 Spencer is fated to be haunted by Alex’s memory for the rest of his life. Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fate
Noun
  • Features footage the director shot over 20 years, traversing all of his past films in an epic look at the romantic destiny of his perennial heroine, Qiaoqiao.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 May 2025
  • The Trump administration might believe that Ukraine’s destiny has no bearing on the future of the NATO alliance.
    Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • This outcome means that sprawling universes go well beyond the MCU.
    Eric Kohn, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
  • The outcome was similar, with a judge ruling that intelligent design is not science, and that forcing teachers to give equal time to intelligent design as an alternative to Darwin’s theory would be unconstitutional.
    Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • For all the obituaries written about ESG in the past year, reports of its demise have been greatly exaggerated.
    Daniel Sutter, National Review, 16 May 2025
  • This is not the time to issue a prediction of demise, not particularly close to it.
    Martin Rogers, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Matos hit a line drive that appeared destined for right field.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2025
  • What look like high-end picnic tables stacked by the dozens inside the warehouse are actually merchandise display tables, of varying heights, destined for retailers Gap and Old Navy, Philip Rosenband said.
    Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • The result of those horrendous 1992 seasons placed the Patriots and Seahawks atop the 1993 NFL Draft.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • The Pro Pickleball Medal Tracker has now been updated with these results; check out this link online for a complete pro medal history for all tours and all pro events dating to the beginnings of all the major pro tours, plus pro events that predated 2020.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Police say that early in the morning of Nov. 13, 2022, the four college students were stabbed to death at an off-campus house on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, where three of them lived.
    Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Social media misinformation, such as false claims about cinnamon being a treatment for cancer, has caused hospitalizations and even deaths.
    Angshuman K. Kashyap, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Now, attention is turning to whether sustainability expectations set by major platforms can actually trickle down to reshape fashion into something fundamentally more sustainable—or whether such initiatives are inherently doomed to be disconnected from material change.
    Nicole Rycroft, Sourcing Journal, 19 May 2025
  • David Ramos / Getty Images) Your Next Read Premier League top-five odds: Chelsea in trouble, Nottingham Forest doomed? Champions League final odds, betting predictions: Inter or Paris Saint-Germain?
    Julia Ranney, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Show how data from customers/employees contributes to product innovations; present plans for sharing resultant value. 2.
    James Felton Keith, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Finally, the resultant structure was coated in potassium hydroxide, which washes away less stable structures and leaves behind thousands of microscopic pores.
    Michael Franco, New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Fate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fate. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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