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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 One was a fortuitous carom off a Dallas defender. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025 An incredible series of plays, a last-gasp effort, and the fortuitous foot of Matt Prater, the field goal kicker who’d been in Buffalo no more than 100 hours, booting a 32-yarder for the win. Coy Wire, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025 That was despite knowing there’s nothing clever or fortuitous about the negligent overpayment of tax. Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 By any measure of belief, Miami is due for some combination of a lucky roll or a fortuitous bounce. Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fortuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortuitous
Adjective
  • Lammens was perhaps fortunate to escape sanction then (Stuart Atwell booked the forward for diving), but this was a valuable occasion ahead of tougher tests, beginning at Anfield.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The Rams were fortunate to make a stop on defense, get the ball back, and score a field goal to send the game into overtime.
    Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Power of Good Love Since the accidental confession, the couple has moved in together and their relationship has flourished.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • However, Ledger tragically died of an accidental overdose before the film's release.
    Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Events on the cheap Here are some must-see sites that will make your bank account happy.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The study found the country is so beloved, a whopping 84 percent of expats who move there are happy with their lives, compared to just 67 percent of expats globally.
    Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The leader of a local hoteliers group involved in planning the Aftershock Festival said rain on the morning of the opening day was unexpected.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Comedian Bill Burr, after performing at the show’s opening night on Friday, defended the project on his podcast, suggesting that the cultural exchange could have unexpected benefits.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Here are luckiest numbers, places to play Did anyone win Powerball last night, October 4, 2025?
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The lucky ticket was sold at a MAPCO service station in Waynesville, which is about a 30-mile drive west from Asheville.
    Don Sweeney, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Though the timing was coincidental, the central bank district in September unveiled its own dashboard of data measuring key labor market metrics including unemployment, the hiring rate and the layoff rate.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The European Ryder Cup advantage is not coincidental or accidental.
    Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fortuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortuitous. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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