as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a fateful encounter with a confidence man that they would long regret
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Recent Examples of fateful
Whether the game is a blowout or comes down to a fateful goal-line stand, loyalists of one team may leap for joy, while others might lash out in anger, pummeling their TV sets or sinking into a deep postgame funk.
—
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
The recent decline began on a fateful day in October when traders lost $19 billion in their crypto positions, and Bitcoin has only kept tumbling from there.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
But for her mom Kristie, who had accompanied Huckaby on that fateful first trip to Utah, no matter what came of her daughter’s experience after discovering the sport, the victory was in gaining back her confidence.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Here’s where the gang ended up, 40 years after that fateful first meeting.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fateful
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
The recent decline began on a fateful day in October when traders lost $19 billion in their crypto positions, and Bitcoin has only kept tumbling from there.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
But for her mom Kristie, who had accompanied Huckaby on that fateful first trip to Utah, no matter what came of her daughter’s experience after discovering the sport, the victory was in gaining back her confidence.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Here’s where the gang ended up, 40 years after that fateful first meeting.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fateful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fateful
Adjective
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However, despite his thin background, when the financial crisis of that decade broke out, Warsh was by all accounts knowledgeable and effective in the Fed’s efforts to prevent a disastrous meltdown of financial markets.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
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Political commentator Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and first-time candidate, made the argument to viewers that California’s problems have been caused by the disastrous policies of the people who have been in power during 16 years of one-party – Democratic party – rule.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Italy’s specialist mountain rescue organization revealed the fatal disasters were caused by weak layers of fresh snow, unstable enough that the passage of a single person could trigger an avalanche.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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The fatal shootings and immigration agents' tactics in Minnesota have alienated a growing share of Americans and caused friction within the Republican Party.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And that’s how the forward ended up under a too-bright light at the end of this season, burdened with the unfortunate responsibility of being one of the few players the front office felt was worth investing in long term.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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After Ellis’ unfortunate and sudden passing in 1986, Marc Jacobs was named creative director of the brand in 1988.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This sympathetic surge is caused by the release of noradrenaline, which, in the context of cancer, has catastrophic consequences.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 2026
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Jerome Powell, the Fed’s current chair, made a choice to avert a catastrophic economic crash during the COVID-19 pandemic, accepting the risk of a bout of inflation.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fateful. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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