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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 timing is especially fortuitous, with two daughters in college and hefty tuitions to pay. Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025 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 Meng Wei’s timing has proved to be fortuitous. Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 Presented here, through some visual trickery, as a diminutive schlump with a hideous comb-over, Hawke doesn’t exactly disappear into the role, which strikes me as fortuitous and perhaps deliberate. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fortuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortuitous
Adjective
  • Throughout his life, Joe Don touched many lives with his warmth and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
    Tommy McArdle, People.com, 15 May 2025
  • There are just so many memories from childhood, growing up watching Everton here and being fortunate to work here for 25 years.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • But the real Sylvia and Mort were larger-than-life characters and became accidental celebrities when The Nanny aired.
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 12 May 2025
  • Collantes ruled the cut was the result of an accidental headbutt, Suarez’s team is arguing that a punch caused the cut.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • People are generally happy to see you and talk with you, regardless of any differences.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2025
  • Read More About: Cannes France pierre branco Studio TF1 Subscribe to Deadline Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • In a speech Thursday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell suggested rates could be higher in the long term because of unexpected events that constrain supplies and push up prices.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Related article Pope Leo XIV’s unexpected New Orleans Creole background excites city’s large Catholic community The boy whose deep sense of community and compassion was molded by his experiences in the village of Dolton was made a cardinal later that year.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • In another instance, the lucky baby received 1 million frequent-flyer miles.
    Michael Nied, People.com, 12 May 2025
  • The five lucky contestants advancing in this season of American Idol are 29-year-old Thunderstorm Artis, 18-year-old John Foster, 25-year-old Breanna Nix, 27-year-old Jamal Roberts, and 18-year-old Slater Nalley.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • These things could be coincidental, or could, as the main character suggests, be the work of fairies upset that their pools were desecrated in this way.
    Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 May 2025
  • Then, this winter, the pair became coincidental training partners, occasionally working out at the same Southern California facility together as Kim (who, like Ohtani, is represented by Creative Artists Agency) prepared for his own move to the major leagues.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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