Synonym Chooser

How is the word fortunate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fortunate are happy, lucky, and providential. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

How does the word happy relate to other synonyms for fortunate?

Happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed.

a series of happy accidents

When is lucky a more appropriate choice than fortunate?

While the synonyms lucky and fortunate are close in meaning, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

Where would providential be a reasonable alternative to fortunate?

In some situations, the words providential and fortunate are roughly equivalent. However, providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

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 fortunate Garcia said the district also is fortunate to have a very supportive community. Chuck Fieldman, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025 Mizuhara was hardly so fortunate during this period. David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025 Not everyone will be so fortunate. John Bacon, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025 To be able to explore all of the ideas that are inherent to that rich source material, but also at the scale inherent to the source material, that’s like a very rare and fortunate opportunity. EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortunate
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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Fortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortunate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fortunate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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