fateful

adjective

ˈfāt-fəl How to pronounce fateful (audio)
Definition of fatefulnext
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune a fateful encounter with a confidence man that they would long regret

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 But a month later, Colón competed against Terrel Williams at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, on a night that proved fateful to the rising star. — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 Since that fateful summer, Steven Spielberg's sci-fi survival thriller has reigned supreme as the undisputed king of dinosaur films. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 14 Aug. 2026 Stewart recently recalled her fateful run-in with the frontman of that last group and the beautiful friendship that blossomed. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026 Like the book, there’s a fateful meeting with the mysterious Robert Mallory at a movie theater in Westwood. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fateful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fateful
  1. disastrous
  2. fatal
  3. unfortunate
  4. catastrophic
Adjective
  • Boone didn’t get to watch the disastrous half-inning from the dugout, as he was ejected in the top of the sixth.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Despite so many past failures, Washington’s foreign policy debates are frequently still dominated by aging officials who made disastrous choices.
    — Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of disastrous
Adjective
  • The family ran the rescue out of their New Hampshire house until a fatal fire burned it down in 2019.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers also examined fatal crashes, looking at drivers’ ages, alcohol involvement, the number of people in the car and the model year of cars, as newer cars may have more safety features that prevent distraction.
    — Diana Anos, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of fatal
Adjective
  • That understanding for the narrator is one tinged with mourning for the boy who endured but also the suspect boy who was always there, even before all the unfortunate happenings.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The first addresses inflammation and irritation (an unfortunate side effect of vitamin C, for some people).
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfortunate
Adjective
  • Guthrie responded to the catastrophic damage brought by hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton, and to other crises like the Surfside condo collapse.
    — Michael Van Sickler, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Under American stewardship, catastrophic wars have shattered Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of catastrophic

Browse Nearby Words

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fateful
fates
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Cite this Entry

“Fateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fateful. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fateful

Nglish: Translation of fateful for Spanish Speakers

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