FATAL Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'fatal' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fatal are deadly , lethal , and mortal . While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction. // fatal consequences

Q: When is it sensible to use 'deadly' instead of 'fatal'?

While the synonyms deadly and fatal are close in meaning, deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death. // a deadly disease

Q: When would 'lethal' be a good substitute for 'fatal'?

The meanings of lethal and fatal largely overlap; however, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life. // lethal gas

Q: When might 'mortal' be a better fit than 'fatal'?

The synonyms mortal and fatal are sometimes interchangeable, but mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable. // a mortal wound

fatal

adjective

ˈfā-tᵊl

Definition of fatal next

as in disastrous

bringing about ruin or misfortune I made the fatal mistake of sharing my secret with the office's biggest blabbermouth

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lethal

likely to cause or capable of causing death that snake's venom is fatal unless the victim is given the antidote almost immediately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fatal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fatal are deadly, lethal, and mortal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

When is it sensible to use deadly instead of fatal?

While the synonyms deadly and fatal are close in meaning, deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When would lethal be a good substitute for fatal?

The meanings of lethal and fatal largely overlap; however, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

When might mortal be a better fit than fatal?

The synonyms mortal and fatal are sometimes interchangeable, but mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

Examples of fatal in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web The fatal shooting unfolded in the area of Seventh Street and East South Mountain Avenue, according to police. —

Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 31 Oct. 2024 Prognosis and Life Expectancy Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and may be fatal if left untreated. —

Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 19 Oct. 2024 During a podcast interview released two days before Payne’s fatal fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina Wednesday, Henry said the troubled 31-year-old British singer would barrage her and her family with worrying calls and messages. —

Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024 Clifford Proctor, who served as an LAPD officer for about a decade, fired two fatal shots into the back of Brendon Glenn, a 29-year-old homeless man, after a dispute with a bouncer outside a bar near the Venice Speedway in May 2015. —

James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fatal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatal

Adjective

Key Background Biden dropped out of the race on July 21 after resisting calls from within his own party for weeks to end his reelection bid in the wake of his disastrous performance in the June 27 debate.

Sara Dorn, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
The vice president ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket after Biden’s disastrous performance in a June debate set into motion his withdrawing from the race.

Bill Barrow, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024