fatal

adjective

fa·​tal ˈfā-tᵊl How to pronounce fatal (audio)
1
a
: causing death
a fatal crash
a fatal disease
a fatal wound
b
: bringing ruin
a fatal attraction to gambling
c
: causing failure
a fatal design flaw
Lack of sufficient support was fatal to his campaign.
2
a
: determining one's fate
the fatal flaw in this dazzling woman: a total lack of tasteMarya Mannes
b
: of or relating to fate
… this science sets a fatal necessity on things …H. O. Taylor
c
: resembling fate in proceeding according to a fixed sequence
3
: fateful
a fatal hour
4
obsolete : fated
Choose the Right Synonym for fatal

deadly, mortal, fatal, lethal mean causing or capable of causing death.

deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

Examples of fatal in a Sentence

a disease that is often fatal a chemical that can be fatal to birds She made a fatal mistake.
Recent Examples on the Web Alec Baldwin asks judge to dismiss charges in fatal ‘Rust’ shooting. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 The fatal shooting occurred about 9 p.m. on Jan. 23 in the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 Erratic behavior and possible drug use led to the fatal shooting of a man by his brother on Indianapolis’ northeast side Friday night, according to court documents. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Mar. 2024 New Mexico State Police had notified the Marion County Sheriff's Office that Machado-Fore's vehicle was involved in the fatal shooting of a state police officer, according to the sheriff's office. Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 Smith is suspected in the fatal shooting of New Mexico State Police officer Justin Hare early Friday and the slaying of Phonesia Machado-Fore, a South Carolina paramedic who was reported missing on Thursday, authorities said. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2024 The fatal collision happened a few minutes after midnight on westbound state Route 905, CHP Officer Salvador Castro said. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024 The three cases, which were consolidated in federal court in September 2022, allege Mensah used excessive force in violation of the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment in each fatal shooting. Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2024 Among the others, according to the lawsuits, were a CSX conductor who suffered a fatal heart attack after doing physical labor on a subfreezing overnight shift and a contractor who lost three fingers rigging equipment in a Norfolk Southern rail yard. Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fatal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin fatalis, from fatum fate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of fatal was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near fatal

Cite this Entry

“Fatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatal. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fatal

adjective
fa·​tal ˈfāt-ᵊl How to pronounce fatal (audio)
1
: deciding one's fate : fateful
on that fatal day
2
: causing death or ruin
a fatal accident
fatally
-ᵊl-ē
adverb

Medical Definition

fatal

adjective
fa·​tal ˈfāt-ᵊl How to pronounce fatal (audio)
: causing death
a fatal diabetic comaHavelock Ellis
fatally adverb

Legal Definition

fatal

adjective
fa·​tal
1
: causing failure of a legal claim or cause of action
a fatal defect in the proceedingsW. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
2
: making something (as a contract) invalid or unenforceable
there is a fatal indefiniteness with the result that the agreement is voidJ. D. Calamari and J. M. Perillo
fatally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on fatal

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