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Definition of mortalnext
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mortal

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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
In Greek mythology, Adonis was a handsome mortal man who fell in love with Aphrodite. Kara Nesvig, Parents, 14 Jan. 2026 Woden was the Germanic version of the Norse god Odin, who is probably laughing at our mortal game of linguistic telephone. Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
In 2026, however, with social media showcasing neck angles few mortals are born with, expectations are sky-high—for patients and doctors alike. Jolene Edgar, Allure, 11 Dec. 2025 But, every so often, the gods concoct a minor tragedy for even the most powerful mortals, and a glimpse of life’s futility—and perhaps even its ever-present mortality—breaks briefly through. Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 28 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mortal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortal
Adjective
  • Officers fired less-lethal weapons directly at demonstrators, and several fell to the ground bleeding and unable to move, the complaint alleged.
    Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Legislators who disagree with Trump executed by lethal injection.
    James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Martinez and another man were charged in October with assault with a deadly weapon, accused of following the agents' vehicles and initiating the collision with Exum's SUV that led to the shooting on Chicago's south side.
    James Hill, ABC News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The January 29, 2025, collision was the deadliest commercial aviation accident in the United States in the last 16 years.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Hivemind enables defense systems to sense, decide, and act, allowing autonomous platforms to adapt to dynamic environments, avoid threats, and complete missions without human intervention.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Taking care of her ‘day job,’ skiing The fame, of course, all goes back to Gu’s first love — skiing, taking chances and pushing the boundaries of human performance.
    Eddie Pells, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The program put on by the Star Tribune held a four-hour session for local journalists, which included hostile environment awareness and first aid training designed to help students make informed decisions about safety while reporting in volatile situations.
    Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Three former employees who worked under Carol Johnson, Austin’s first Civil Rights Officer, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday alleging racial discrimination, retaliation and a hostile work environment within the city’s Office of Civil Rights.
    Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The bill would also require businesses that sell delivery goods, such as grocery delivery providers or DoorDash, to list a comparison of the delivery price versus the regular price if the goods were to be bought in-person at the store.
    Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
  • If those extra months incur large public healthcare costs, or if that person’s continued life means one’s great grandchildren receive a substantially smaller bequest, those factors typically aren’t reflected in the patient’s personal willingness to pay.
    James Broughel, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Nanos previously said Nancy Guthrie did not leave the home by herself, pointing to her limited mobility and a health condition that could prove to be fatal if the necessary medication was not taken within 24 hours.
    Julia Bonavita , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
  • For years, Malibu has been working to reduce road deaths on PCH, though the fatal incidents stretch beyond the city’s borders.
    Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The first raid left 30 insurgents dead in Panjgur district in Balochistan province, according to a military statement.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Then use dead leaves, small boughs, or wood chips to fill in open spaces and make the bottom layer roughly level with the stump.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Ware finished the defeat with a negative plus/minus of minus 12.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
  • But his moves did little to stem the flow of negative headlines.
    Max Foster, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mortal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortal. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on mortal

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