fatalism

noun

fa·​tal·​ism ˈfā-tə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce fatalism (audio)
: a doctrine that events are fixed in advance so that human beings are powerless to change them
also : a belief in or attitude determined by this doctrine
fatalism that regards social problems as simply inevitable
fatalist noun
fatalistic adjective
fatalistically adverb

Examples of fatalism in a Sentence

Many people seem to have developed a sense of fatalism about the war.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Even amidst the darkness of the burgeoning, as-yet-unnamed film noir movement in American cinema, Fritz Lang’s Scarlet Street is a jolt of pure fatalism. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2025 What awaits Kompany and Bayern? Slowly, some of the fatalism around Vincent Kompany’s appointment back in the summer is melting away. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025 The growing fatalism of some commentators neglects the interest that the United States, China, Taiwan, and the world all share in avoiding a shooting war. Jessica Chen Weiss, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2022 It’s got kind of a Gen-X fatalism, and fatalism is one side of the coin. Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fatalism 

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fatalism was in 1678

Dictionary Entries Near fatalism

Cite this Entry

“Fatalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatalism. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

fatalism

noun
fa·​tal·​ism ˈfāt-ᵊl-ˌiz-əm How to pronounce fatalism (audio)
: the belief or attitude that events are decided in advance by powers beyond one's control
fatalist noun
fatalistic adjective
fatalistically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on fatalism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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