MORTAL Synonyms: 292 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'mortal' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mortal are deadly , fatal , and lethal . While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable. // a mortal wound

Q: When might 'deadly' be a better fit than 'mortal'?

While in some cases nearly identical to mortal , deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death. // a deadly disease

Q: When is 'fatal' a more appropriate choice than 'mortal'?

The words fatal and mortal can be used in similar contexts, but fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction. // fatal consequences

Q: Where would 'lethal' be a reasonable alternative to 'mortal'?

In some situations, the words lethal and mortal are roughly equivalent. However, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life. // lethal gas

mortal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmȯr-tᵊl

Definition of mortal

as in lethal

likely to cause or capable of causing death a mortal wound

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deadly

of, relating to, or suggestive of death a wounded soldier writhing in mortal agony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in human

relating to or characteristic of human beings just an ordinary guy with all the usual mortal limitations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hostile

marked by opposition or ill will have always had a mortal aversion to narcissistic people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mortal

2 of 2

noun

as in person

a member of the human race just an ordinary mortal living an ordinary life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective mortal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mortal are deadly, fatal, and lethal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

When might deadly be a better fit than mortal?

While in some cases nearly identical to mortal, deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When is fatal a more appropriate choice than mortal?

The words fatal and mortal can be used in similar contexts, but fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

Where would lethal be a reasonable alternative to mortal?

In some situations, the words lethal and mortal are roughly equivalent. However, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

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 mortal

Adjective

The rest of the horses were in mortal terror of Dick. — Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026 This season, the previously unparalleled superpowers of Scheffler’s iron play have diminished to near-mortal capabilities. — Justin Ray, New York Times, 17 June 2026

Noun

Flawless spelling, grammar, sentence structure and reasoning power beyond us mere mortals. — Bryce Jenkins, Forbes.com, 3 June 2026 Revolutions are made up of living and breathing and yearning and failing mortals. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for mortal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortal

Adjective

The most common type is lethal in about half of patients, and death is almost instantaneous.

— Veronique Greenwood, Time, 13 July 2026
Tewalt previously cautioned state lawmakers that transitioning from lethal injection to a firing squad as Idaho’s preferred method would result in even more lawsuits.

— Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 July 2026

Definition of lethal

Adjective

When the Guadalupe River surged through Texas Hill Country last summer, Elida Sierra Lutz and her three children were swept into the deadly flooding like debris in the current.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Written and directed by YouTube filmmaker Curry Barker, the film, made for $750,000, tells a twisted tale of love with deadly consequences.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of deadly

Adjective

Aquarius has played host to researchers observing the marine life around them, studying the effects of long term pressure on the human body, learning best practices for remote robotic surgery and even growing food and fungi underwater.

— Alex Harris July 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Companies are also experimenting more with AI in online dating and social networking, raising questions about how technology will affect human interaction.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of human

Noun

Fan Fest hits capacity Though it’s been popular, the free experience on the grounds of the National World War I Museum and Memorial had never hit its 25,000-person capacity — until today.

— The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
Looks like an interesting docu-series, though, maybe especially for those of us who will never go in person.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026

Definition of person

Adjective

Like many Maine officials, Biddeford mayor Liam LaFountain has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Joan Sebastian Guerrero at the hands of a federal agent.

— Caroll Alvarado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
In the third season, Juliette has lost her memories in the process of surviving a near-fatal experience being locked in an incinerator.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 13 July 2026

Definition of fatal

Adjective

Inside, a man and woman believed to be in their mid-40s were found dead from gunshot wounds.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
In a subsequent lecture, Halford noted that snake venom’s effect on the blood was like that of cholera, and modestly suggested that the venom of dead snakes, dried and carried aloft on the wind, might be the cause of that disease.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Definition of dead

Adjective

In contrast, Trump made at least 17 purchases of eight companies’ stock and then posted negative messages about the firms or their executives shortly afterward.

— Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
In this case, the vague nature of terms like DEI and CRT can have an even steeper negative impact on classrooms by creating uncertainty among faculty.

— Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026

Definition of negative

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morsels

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“Mortal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortal. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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