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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
For a survivor who has been repeatedly and continuously terrorized, the perception of being in mortal danger does not come into focus in a single, dramatic moment. Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026 Faithful wives – human and divine Through its female characters, mortal and divine alike, the text highlights a woman’s principal role and identity as a faithful wife. Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
In contrast to other examples of Greek temple art and even other parts of the Parthenon, where mythic gods and heroes predominate, the frieze shows everyday mortals, perhaps even the contemporaries of those who carved it and viewed it. James Romm, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026 Set in a divided world where immortal, magic-wielding beings rule Starside and struggling mortals survive Stormside, this story follow Aris, an orphaned blacksmith's apprentice, driven by revenge against the gods who destroyed her family. Jessica Moore, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mortal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortal
Adjective
  • Little in the past acknowledged his preference for lethal injection between the two methods, sharing concerns over the impacts on corrections officials from participating in a firing squad execution.
    Kevin Fixler April 29, Idaho Statesman, 29 Apr. 2026
  • But as the data shows, violence is largely concentrated among a small number of individuals and increasingly smaller, yet no less violent and lethal, groups of street gangs and crews.
    Andrew S. Boutros, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • As Operation Midway Blitz began to wind down in the Chicago area last November, federal immigration agents launched a new and deadly surge of enforcement in Minneapolis in December and earlier this year.
    Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Dehydration can be dangerous and downright deadly, and that's even more true for a senior.
    Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Gukesh has a maturity that seems connected to his openness to instinctual play, and to his awareness of the depth and power of human feeling.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Even though the pushing and throwing motions forced the robots into excursions near the boundaries of their physical workspaces, and the pick-and-place maneuver demanded complex internal mathematical checks, all three machines were able to learn a functional policy via a single human demonstration.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • These Knicks still need to close the Hawks out in hostile territory in Game 6.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Extreme recovery conditions The Asse II mine presents a uniquely hostile environment.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The document offers the most detailed account yet of the missing person’s investigation that culminated on Friday with the discovery of Limon’s body in a set of black trash bags discarded along the Howard Frankland Bridge.
    Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Murmurs of possible tactics abound—including more talk within the administration of the DPA after Anthropic’s Mythos announcement, one person with knowledge of such discussions told us.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shootings of three adults in Baldwin Park last week — two of whom were a married couple, officials said, who were being mourned by their college-age children.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Police have arrested a man on murder and firearm charges in connection with a fatal shooting in Stratford earlier this month.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Suspect One was dead and Suspect Two was on the run.
    Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
  • That includes clearing dead or dying vegetation within 100 feet of all structures, landscaping with fire-resistant plans and non-flammable ground cover, and disposing of landscaping debris in other ways.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • According to Newsweek, the overall score was composed of 80% from survey results, and 20% from social listening analysis, which analyzed media coverage and online discussion to assess whether public sentiment was positive, neutral or negative.
    Finch Walker, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The contest aims to challenge negative stereotypes of seagulls, which are often seen as a nuisance, by imitating them, per local network WTV.
    Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mortal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortal. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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