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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
While looking for Rust and Lucas, Wood contemplates the fate of his own son, who is afflicted by a potentially fatal disease. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2025 With time running out, Parker is forced into an uneasy alliance that could determine the fate of the operation — and his own future Want scoop on NCIS, or for any other TV show? Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
Their relationship is both fated and impossible to root for. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2025 It was fated by the time fans started filing into the building. Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fate
Noun
  • On May 25, 2010, Leake made his fateful first trip to the country whose music scene would prove his destiny and his possible ruin.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Independent Now Alongside her growing institutional recognition, Aya Nakamura has taken full control of her professional destiny.
    Billboard France, Billboard, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The most devastating of all those outcomes undoubtedly came in 2021 when, with a 3-1 series lead, the Leafs failed to close out the Habs with three chances to do so.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • But as contagious as measles is, the outcome caused by just a few cases could be devastating, especially for children.
    Dan Sweeney, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The 1982 film Missing, directed by Costa-Gavras, brought global attention to the case and implied U.S. involvement in Horman’s demise.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The current season of Sister Wives is showing how the Brown family continues to navigate life after the demise of their once-happy polygamous brood.
    Dory Jackson, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Lady Gaga was always destined to steal the show at Coachella as the biggest headliner at the festival this year.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Gordon’s dunk gave the Nuggets a 101-99 win over the LA Clippers to end Saturday afternoon’s thrilling Game 4 and even a series destined to go long at 2-2.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The result is a string of entrepreneurial successes that continues to reverberate across some of the most critical areas of the 21st-century business landscape.
    Jon Stojan, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Full results of the trial will not be final until 2027 after a sufficient number of people have been tracked for 18 months after completing the four-month program.
    Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For Pope Francis, Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the church camerlengo, or cardinal chamberlain (the official that manages the household of the pope), presided over the certification of death and the placement of the body in a coffin.
    George Petras, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Pope Francis’ last words before his death on Monday were an expression of thanks to his personal nurse and caregiver, Massimiliano Strappetti, the Vatican revealed Tuesday while describing the 88-year-old pontiff’s final hours.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Dallas appeared doomed when Marchment caught Brock Nelson with a high stick, drawing blood with 39.5 seconds left in regulation.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The Opening Minutes The premiere opens in a cockpit that’s doomed.
    Anne Victoria Clark, Vulture, 21 Apr. 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 5 May. 2025.

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