Synonym Chooser

How is the word providential different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of providential are fortunate, happy, and lucky. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

When is fortunate a more appropriate choice than providential?

While the synonyms fortunate and providential are close in meaning, fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

How is happy related to other words for providential?

Happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed.

a series of happy accidents

In what contexts can lucky take the place of providential?

The meanings of lucky and providential largely overlap; however, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

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 providential Helping to weave all those strands into a single, elegant narrative is an Emory University astrochemist with a providential name: Susanna Widicus Weaver. Andrew Grant, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2011 Russia’s longstanding pursuit of a global position beyond its means—its aspiration to be a providential power, with a special mission in the world—has led it, again and again, to autocratic rule. WSJ, 4 Nov. 2022 Many a past biographer has observed that Lincoln understood himself as an actor in a providential drama. John Fabian Witt, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2022 Meacham bids to be the redeemer in chief of the narrative of American exceptionalism: the venerable if now-shopworn story in which the United States has a providential and world-historic role as a nation distinctively dedicated to human liberty. John Fabian Witt, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for providential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for providential
Adjective
  • Boone’s squad is still fortunate enough to be in playoff position, as the Yankees are in possession of the third and final Wild Card spot.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Hank seems to be in fine physical health outside of the standard aches and pains and narrow urethra, but Bobby has reached that stage of young adulthood when those fortunate enough to still have their parents start to confront the reality that that won’t always be the case.
    Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Russo, who's written more than a dozen books, appeared to be as happy as if anyone else had said this to him.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • While longtime fans of the ship are still mourning the loss of the SS United States to the bottom of the ocean, some were happy with the new museum design update.
    Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Sabrina Carpenter is loosening her leash on Man’s Best Friend ahead of its release date, with the pop star playing the album for a group of lucky fans who got to hear it before the rest of the world at an exclusive event on Wednesday (Aug. 13).
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The rest of us, with our own sui generis cultural fantasies and preferences, should be so lucky.
    Derek Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In financial terms, the Presidency came to Trump at a fortuitous moment.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Rather than counting on a fortuitous LTIR situation, however, the Leafs can create their own luck by entering the season with some extra space, space that will expand over time and give them real options.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Economic Catalyst The timing isn’t coincidental.
    Kristen Classi-Zummo, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • The magic number of three — however coincidental and inaccurate — was too much for the internet to resist.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Providential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/providential. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on providential

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