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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
Ultimately, chaos seems to be the only certainty should Abbas shuffle off his mortal coil. Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025 Most of it doesn’t entail a mortal risk to a hundred and fifty people for the sake of a television comedy program. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
Noun
Certainly, mere mortals couldn’t simply get Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, and Ariana Grande, to name a few, in the studio with much ease. Dan Reilly, Vulture, 20 May 2025 Adjusting to the professional game takes time for most mortals; thus, there will be several losses before the wins start rolling in. The Athletic, New York Times, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for mortal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortal
Adjective
  • Richard Gerald Jordan, a 79-year-old Vietnam veteran with PTSD, received a lethal injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025
  • Advertisement Build a Check-In Culture Loneliness can be lethal during a heatwave.
    Kathy Baughman McLeod, Time, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Since Israel launched its Gaza offensive in the wake of Hamas' deadly October 2023 attack, the country has faced war crimes accusations from United Nations officials and human rights groups.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • Days before Trump ordered the drone strike that killed him, Soleimani had orchestrated a deadly attack on a U.S. base in Iraq.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • However, there isn't enough human research to determine whether kombucha benefits gut health.8 Also, the probiotic content varies between products.
    Lindsey DeSoto, Health, 24 June 2025
  • For instance, if a robotaxi were stuck in a crowded pedestrian area and confused about what to do next, a human teleoperator could take over and guide it, the source said.
    Chris Kirkham, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Syria has turned from a fertile ground to a hostile one for Iran and its assets, after the Assad regime was toppled in December.
    Lina Khatib, Time, 19 June 2025
  • Republican leaders there have long seen many local school boards as hostile to potential charter school operators, resulting in a steady push to find ways for operators to apply to the state.
    Kate Payne, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • In total, 22 children and one elderly person have been treated and 10 of the patients were still hospitalized as of Wednesday, according to officials in the Hauts-de-France region.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
  • Winners can pick up their claim forms in person at more than 23,000 California Lottery retail partners, but are also allowed to fill out a form online.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The United States has struck a crippling, but not fatal blow at Iran’s nuclear weapons aspirations.
    Brett Schaefer, National Review, 23 June 2025
  • And the mid-Atlantic recently saw its first fatal case of Heartland Virus.
    Pien Huang, NPR, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sheriff’s Deputy Marcos Pena Jr., 31, was pronounced dead at the crash site, according to the Sheriff’s Department, after being struck by a vehicle around 2:20 a.m.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
  • Despite life-saving efforts, the pedestrian was pronounced dead.
    Khaleda Rahman Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Put it all together, and this year has been a textbook example of how a negative NIIP profile can magnify currency turmoil, Ford warned.
    Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 28 June 2025
  • However, the theory fell through after Sam tested negative for gun residue and fully cooperated with officers.
    Caroline Blair, People.com, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mortal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortal. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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