1
2

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 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 The series has become an unexpected grief tracker; Paddington, my fortuitous companion. Rachel Sherman, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025 Yet in Morrison’s book, the show is simply the result of what Michaels has been doing all along — trying to convene talent in hopes of gaining a fortuitous result. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fortuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortuitous
Adjective
  • Colorado finished the period with 19 shots on goal — and held a ridiculous 10-1 edge in high-danger scoring chances, per Natural Stat Trick — and Oettinger and the Stars were somewhat fortunate to only be down two.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • Fox was one of the fortunate ones to have the opportunity to face the suspect in court, see the sentencing and get closure.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Some setbacks stem from missteps, including the accidental filing of an internal memo that questioned the administration's legal approach.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have gotten rid of divisions that oversee databases on things like accidental deaths and injuries, including fatal shootings, poisonings and motor vehicle crashes.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • She isn’t fixated on having the right or the most happy kinds of experiences, exactly.
    Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
  • Schwarber was 3-for-12 with seven strikeouts against Luzardo over the years, and he’s joked that no one was happier about the trade than him.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • What’s perhaps unexpected, and has also contributed to Knies’ rise as a bona fide playoff performer?
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 3 May 2025
  • Something unexpected happened in the Clippers’ elimination game on Thursday night.
    Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • With more people than ever traveling for experiences and planning trips with friends to see their favorite artist, Marriott Bonvoy is giving a few lucky fans an exclusive experience through the Marriott Bonvoy® Cowboy Carter Tour Sweepstakes.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Young sued the city of Chicago and received a nearly $3 million settlement in 2021, but other victims aren't so lucky.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The list of coincidental similarities in a class of objects goes on and on.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
  • This frame, the lengthy project climbs to No. 24 on both the Official Albums and Official Albums Streaming charts — quite the coincidental alignment.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on fortuitous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!