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noun

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
Take away those home-run balls from last week, and Salter might look mortal again. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025 If only mortal decline could be registered with equal efficiency, we would all be saved an awful lot of fuss. Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
But for us common mortals these have a negative impact, though maybe only on our children, on our wives, on our friends. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025 But like many mere mortals, Eden also has a sweet tooth. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mortal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortal
Adjective
  • Tennessee law holds that those who committed crimes before 1999 can choose between being put to death by lethal injection or the electric chair.
    Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • And of course 100% lethal to the child.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • During a three-day rampage of gang violence, some 80 people died — the deadliest days in El Salvador since its civil war.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
  • One Pasteurella-like microbe carried genetic hints of virulence and has ties to deadly outbreaks in modern African elephants.
    Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • By contrast, a human financial advisor can offer tailored, comprehensive financial planning to meet specific goals.
    Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • But warming ocean temperatures, rising sea levels, disease and human activity, such as pollution, have severely degraded Florida's reefs, according to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Tampa is heading into a hostile environment against a feisty Seattle Seahawks team that matches them with a 3-1 record.
    Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Republicans, traditionally seen as more hostile to government, are often viewed as the shutdown aggressors.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The recall notice states the doors can suddenly close when a person is reaching inside.
    Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • One person familiar with the negotiations told the newspaper that the university was reluctant to directly pay the federal government.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The crossover came amid recent turmoil, including Colbert’s show being canceled by in July and Kimmel's temporary suspension by ABC in September following controversial comments about the fatal shooting of political activist Charlie Kirk.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • And one expert has suggested that steel or concrete barriers can also help guard against deadly attacks like the one in Grand Blanc Township, as well as unintentional fatal wrecks and may even help businesses stave off plaintiff lawsuits.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The person was pronounced dead on the scene by the police department's airport division officers.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Sunday morning, and airport division officers declared the stowaway dead on scene, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.
    Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The inflation hammering households is primarily due to the weak yen that the Abe government orchestrated with negative interest rates and massive monetary easing, causing a surge in energy and food prices that pinches voters’ wallets.
    Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The website, though, shows a negative subtotal of more than $2 million, suggesting money allocated to the grant that was unspent.
    Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mortal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortal. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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