as in accidents
an unexpected benefit or advantage resulting from the uncertain course of events
the discovery of oil on their property was just an amazing fluke
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Recent Examples of flukes
That kind of overlap across two major rankings signals these aren’t flukes.
—
Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
From a human perspective, whales are born backwards, emerging flukes first.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
Who knew if these roles were flukes — one-offs, novelties — or if Jerry Adler would defy the odds stacked up against any actor, much less a sexagenarian new to the game, and continue to find work in his newfound profession.
—Howard Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
But by a series of flukes, Friedman never once auditioned for the CSO.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
From a human perspective, whales are born backwards, emerging flukes first.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026
Who knew if these roles were flukes — one-offs, novelties — or if Jerry Adler would defy the odds stacked up against any actor, much less a sexagenarian new to the game, and continue to find work in his newfound profession.
—Howard Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
But by a series of flukes, Friedman never once auditioned for the CSO.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flukes
Noun
-
The industry has been well aware of the risks of the types of chemical accidents that can lead to a thermal runaway reaction, posing the risk of an explosion.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
-
Some of the most influential American innovations began as side projects, accidents, or niche engineering solutions before quietly changing how people communicate, travel, work, eat, and survive.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Climate change, from the burning of coal, oil and gas, increased the intensity of Canada's 2023 fire season by at least 50% and doubled the chances of the drier, hotter weather conditions that were needed for the fire, a 2023 study found.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
-
On a press call Wednesday night, USDA officials stressed that the screwworm was not a threat to the food supply and that the chances of large-scale infestation were tiny.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Best of luck accomplishing your goals today, and, of course, do keep in touch.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
1 June 2026
-
Jupiter will eventually return to your sign for the first time since 2014, kicking off a major season of luck, growth and expansion.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flukes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flukes. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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