fatalism

noun

fa·​tal·​ism ˈfā-tə-ˌli-zəm 

: 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

ˈfā-tə-list 

noun

fatalistic

ˌfā-tə-ˈli-stik 

adjective

fatalistically

ˌfā-tə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

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

The source text is about a man who believes himself to be doomed, his fatalism intuitive but otherwise inexplicable. —Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2024

Rather than promote fatalism, this knowledge actually increases our capacity to make effective choices for our highest good. —Melinda Ribner, Sun Sentinel, 16 Oct. 2024

In Lebanon, where health officials say Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,000 people over the last year, most of them in the last two months, there was an air of fatalism over the outcome. —Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024

After back-to-back promotions, any lingering fatalism has gone. —Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 3 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fatalism

noun

fa·​tal·​ism ˈfāt-ᵊl-ˌiz-əm 

: the belief or attitude that events are decided in advance by powers beyond one's control

fatalist

-əst 

noun

fatalistic

ˌfāt-ᵊl-ˈis-tik 

adjective

fatalistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb