Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fateful differ from other similar words?

The words ominous and portentous are common synonyms of fateful. While all three words mean "having a menacing or threatening aspect," fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance.

the fateful conference that led to war

Where would ominous be a reasonable alternative to fateful?

Although the words ominous and fateful have much in common, ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster.

ominous rumblings from the volcano

When is it sensible to use portentous instead of fateful?

While the synonyms portentous and fateful are close in meaning, portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity.

an eerie and portentous stillness

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 fateful Snyder's wedding gift harked back to their first fateful encounter. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025 Today, Jessica’s memory remains alive at the park where she was supposed to meet her friends that fateful day. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 3 May 2025 Needless to say, the witch schemes to reach Snow first, fateful apple in hand. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 2 May 2025 The former Real Housewives of Atlanta star has previously shared the events that went down on that fateful night. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fateful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fateful
Adjective
  • The second leg against AZ after a disastrous 1-0 defeat in Holland.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 9 May 2025
  • That quickly became disastrous for both sides as officials had a very public spat with one another using harsh rhetoric in front of a slew of journalists invited to cover what was initially intended to be brief opening remarks.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • From cold cases cracked decades later to trials still underway, here are 18 fatal crimes that occurred at colleges and universities.
    Corin Cesaric, People.com, 18 May 2025
  • The killing is Kansas City’s 60th homicide this year, according to data maintained by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • None of his previous work has been released in the U.S., which is unfortunate because Demoustier (brother of the talented actress Anaïs) is one of those rare French filmmakers who can blend suspense with perceptive writing and characterization, resulting in artsy thrillers that dig deep.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
  • The coworker that went through this in particular took two more weeks unpaid, which in my opinion is also incredibly unfortunate.
    Jordan Fennell, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fateful. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fateful

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