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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

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 Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world. Danielle Parker, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026 Herakles was the son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene, and he was celebrated in many cities all over the Greek world, from Spain to Anatolia. Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
What fools these non-OpenAI mortals must be. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2026 Cupid will be on the prowl this Valentine's Day weekend, hunting down potential targets to unleash a volley of amorous arrows onto unsuspecting mortals. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mortal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortal
Adjective
  • Boyd could not characterize the size of the knife or say whether officers had attempted less-lethal options before opening fire, though they are trained to do so depending on the incident.
    Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Lambda-cyhalothrin, which starves insects and is lethal to honeybees, was found on cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums, lettuce and broccoli.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The drink contained nearly five times what is considered a deadly amount of the opioid, court filings showed.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The strike came hours after Afghan officials said the two sides exchanged fire along their common border, killing four people in Afghanistan, as the deadliest fighting between the neighbors in years entered a third week.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The joint effort marks a significant milestone in autonomous electronic warfare by showcasing how unmanned systems can detect, analyze and respond to electromagnetic threats in real time without human intervention.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
  • No human journalist was harmed in this experiment.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Handling a hostile environment Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle said his team knew what to expect from Bobcat Ballpark.
    Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Brasília was built from scratch, in the middle of nowhere, in the hostile climate of the Cerrado—a savanna-like biome—hundreds of miles from any highway, railway, or airport.
    Sophia La Banca, JSTOR Daily, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The victim was taken to a hospital, but the person's condition was not disclosed.
    Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Update your emergency kit and be sure to include enough food and water to last for 3 days for each person in your home.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The man’s death marks Kansas City’s 24th homicide of 2026, compared to 26 at this time last year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
  • According to the city's police department, the fatal accident occurred at 1990 S Flamingo Road.
    Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • An Oakland woman was found dead in her cell at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on Friday, according to an Alameda County Sheriff’s Office press release.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Los Angeles Police Department Cuevas was rushed to a nearby hospital at the time, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Their advocacy reflects a growing consensus that social media’s negative effects on kids’ mental health and social lives outweigh the benefits.
    Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Average negative evaluation stood at 67 percent.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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