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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 So the schedule provided a nice bit of fortuitous timing for the Padres. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for fortuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortuitous
Adjective
  • Beowulf was both more fortunate and less fortunate than these other Anglo-Saxon works—more fortunate in that the manuscript, although damaged, was not destroyed by the fire, less fortunate in that no transcripts had been made before 1731.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
  • At the time, Gus Adams had no inkling that the new label would eventually prove fortunate.
    Rob Rossi, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • At the time, Anderson called it an accidental error.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The Americans started brightly and confidently, getting control in midfield and probing with intent, but chances were rare, with the first real effort somewhat accidental as Zavier Gozo’s cross from the left clipped the top of the bar.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But those local socios are Perez’s power base, and keeping them happy is a big priority for him.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Its characters were prodigies who had private tutors and went to training camps for programming competitions, though their striving did not add up to a happy life.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In Stand by Me, four teenage boys (played by Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O’Connell) go on a day trip in 1959 to search for the dead body of a missing classmate and bond in unexpected and heartfelt ways.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Surprise invitations, unexpected gatherings, big plans related to kids, sports or the arts might send you in a new direction.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Here are luckiest numbers, places to play Did anyone win Powerball last night, October 11, 2025?
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 12 Oct. 2025
  • While this lucky gambler hit the jackpot, Hard Rock Seminole assured visitors that there are still opportunities to test their own luck.
    Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That all of this began in Utah may not be entirely coincidental.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
  • This could manifest as a coincidental meeting that develops into a meaningful connection, or a creative idea that comes to mind during a conversation.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fortuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortuitous. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fortuitous

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