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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fortuitous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fortuitous are accidental, casual, and contingent. While all these words mean "not amenable to planning or prediction," fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause.

a series of fortuitous events

When is it sensible to use accidental instead of fortuitous?

The meanings of accidental and fortuitous largely overlap; however, accidental stresses chance.

any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

When might casual be a better fit than fortuitous?

While in some cases nearly identical to fortuitous, casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent.

a casual encounter with a stranger

When could contingent be used to replace fortuitous?

Although the words contingent and fortuitous have much in common, contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence.

the contingent effects of the proposed law

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 fortuitous The opportunity to stage the play in progress came at a fortuitous time for Morrison, who was having trouble with her novel in progress. Elon Green, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025 For Carney, the timing is both fortuitous and fraught. Nik Popli, Time, 5 May 2025 Lucas’s timing was, strangely, both fortuitous and uneasy. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025 The company’s investments in its North American supply chain were in place before the Trump administration’s tariffs on dozens of countries, but the timing is fortuitous. Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fortuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortuitous
Adjective
  • In July, 2011 Coughlin was fortunate to attend an event with the Dalai Lama on his visit to Chicago.
    Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • While fans are still having a hard time getting over the departure of Luka, the Mavs were at least fortunate to win the NBA Draft Lottery back in May.
    Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Her manner of death was determined to be accidental.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 27 June 2025
  • Most hot-car deaths are accidental Being stressed can increase your likelihood of memory lapses that lead to leaving your child in a car, according to a prominent cognitive neuroscience expert who has researched the function of memory in such tragedies.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Mejia describes a happy childhood, always tinkering and creating.
    Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Keeping your dog safe and happy on an outdoor adventure is about more than just bringing extra water and snacks, too.
    Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Aquarius: Eclectic nostalgia Original and unexpected, Aquarius mixes cutting-edge trends with their own unique flair.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
  • Playing his career for the Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings show a perfect example of an unexpected pay cut for a player.
    Tyler Small, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Big lottery wins around the U.S. include a lucky lottery ticketholder in California who won a $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024.
    Jay Cannon, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • Fortune also favors the really, really, extremely, incredibly lucky.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Any resemblance to actual places, events or persons – living or deceased – is purely coincidental and unintentional.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 5 July 2025
  • But officials say the revocation of other services was purely coincidental.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fortuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortuitous. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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