Synonyms of fate

fate 1 of 2

noun

ˈfāt 

1

as in destiny

a state or end that seemingly has been decided beforehand

the belief that it was this country's fate to extend from sea to sea

Synonyms & Similar Words

• destiny
• circumstance
• chance
• doom
• fortune
• portion
• luck
• kismet
• accident
• outcome
• hazard
• lot
• happenstance
• predestination
• result
• effect
• aftermath
• casualty
• development
• happenchance
• consequence
• issue
• upshot
• hap
• sequence
• resultant
• sequel
• conclusion
• outgrowth
• fruit
• aftereffect

2

as in outcome

a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause

the fate of the presidential election hinged on a few thousand votes in a single state

Synonyms & Similar Words

• outcome
• result
• resultant
• consequence
• product
• aftermath
• effect
• matter of course
• upshot
• sequel
• development
• issue
• fruit
• implication
• sequence
• precipitate
• child
• corollary
• aftereffect
• conclusion
• backwash
• outgrowth
• ramification
• denouement
• dénouement
• repercussion
• fallout
• side effect
• side reaction
• echo
• by-product
• aftershock
• afterglow
• afterclap
• blowback
• offshoot
• ripple
• spin-off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cause
• reason
• consideration
• factor
• occasion
• basis
• ground
• base
• causation
• antecedent
• foundation
• mother
• origin
• determinant
• source
• stimulus
• inspiration
• incentive
• spring
• groundwork
• root
• impetus
• instigation

3

as in demise

the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities

he met his fate in a tragic highway accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

• demise
• death
• doom
• passing
• dissolution
• end
• expiration
• grave
• exit
• decease
• passage
• sleep
• curtains
• expiry
• suicide
• destruction
• assassination
• quietus
• fatality
• great divide
• ending
• martyrdom
• execution
• casualty
• annihilation
• extermination
• slaughter
• ruin
• killing
• self-destruction
• massacre
• self-slaughter
• self-murder

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• birth
• life
• existence
• nativity
• creation
• rise
• genesis
• origination

fate

2 of 2

verb

ˈfāt 

as in to destine

to determine the fate of in advance

the warning that the lack of an advanced education will fate a person to a lifetime of below-average earnings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• destine
• doom
• ordain
• predetermine
• predestine
• preordain
• foreordain
• predict
• foredoom
• sentence
• condemn
• presage
• foretell
• prophesy
• prognosticate
• forecast
• divine
• prejudge
• augur
• foresee
• portend
• bode
• forebode
• anticipate
• forbode
• predestinate
• preconceive
• foreknow

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

Recent Examples of fate

Noun

But last night, one homer in each MLB game epitomized that fine line — and maybe the concept of fate itself. —Chris Branch, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025

Now, the fate of the sequel series has been revealed. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

Verb

Unfortunately, we are fated to see two versions of the same events every time. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025

Libra Season paired with Mars in Scorpio is about teamwork that feels fated, partnerships that feel like destiny, and art that heals the collective. —Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Aug. 2025