1
as in fortunate
coming or happening by good luck especially unexpectedly
your arrival just before the thunderstorm was fortuitous
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2
as in accidental
happening by chance
firmly believes that the creation of the universe was something other than just the fortuitous coming together of particles of matter
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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
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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People are generally happy to see you and talk with you, regardless of any differences.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 May 2025
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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
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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
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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
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In another instance, the lucky baby received 1 million frequent-flyer miles.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
12 May 2025
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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
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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
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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
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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