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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 In contrast, through what was likely a combination of fortuitous assignments and savvy politicking, Xi started with ties to four out of ten CMC members—a leg up that gave him the latitude to start a wide-ranging purge of rival elites and reorder the military brass. Tyler Jost, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2025 The seashell with the fortuitous hole that allowed it to be strung around your neck would crack; the thin chain bracelets wrapped around your ankle always got lost in the dunes. Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 29 July 2025 Rather than counting on a fortuitous LTIR situation, however, the Leafs can create their own luck by entering the season with some extra space, space that will expand over time and give them real options. James Mirtle, New York Times, 10 July 2025 An earlier decision to do more prepared foods like soups and stews turned out to be fortuitous. Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fortuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortuitous
Adjective
  • Scientists got fortunate in this case.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Was fortunate enough to win three.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Taylor Farms has recalled its Honey Balsamic Salad Kits in response to an accidental switch in the salad dressing.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The safety lock prevents accidental deployment while the Flex Shears tool is in your pocket or bag.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There are also fears that doctors in these practices may focus too much on keeping paying patients happy, rather than providing the best disease management or medical care, researchers said.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Each of them is raising a glass or bottle of beer — visible labels include Blatz and Schlitz — and each of the men look content, even happy.
    Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • However, while the visit included an educational tour, meetings with local schoolchildren and even an unexpected downpour, the standout moment was the debut of Kate's new hairstyle.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • What begins as a casual conversation about the weather and aching hips gradually deepens into an unexpected friendship—and perhaps something more.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Mallett has been lucky in that regard.
    La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Yet, for a team whose defense hardly made any plays for months at a time last season and dug an insurmountable hole by never getting the lucky bounce or break in a zillion one-score losses, there were no apologies.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Those distinctions are not coincidental.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The two targets were fighting over how to go about developing the land, which lent some tips to the investigation of their deaths, but there are also a few red herrings and coincidental events that complicate the case.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fortuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortuitous. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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