destiny

noun

des·​ti·​ny ˈde-stə-nē 

plural destinies

1

: something to which a person or thing is destined : fortune

wants to control his own destiny

2

: a predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency

felt that destiny would determine their future

Synonyms

• circumstance
• doom
• fate
• fortune
• kismet
• lot
• portion

Choose the Right Synonym for destiny

fate, destiny, lot, portion, doom mean a predetermined state or end.

fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end.

the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance

it was her lot to die childless

, portion implying the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

Examples of destiny in a Sentence

They believed it was their destiny to be together.

motivated by a sense of destiny

Recent Examples on the Web

Last night, a throng many tens of thousands deeper saw Armstrong and his main band fulfill their destiny as the holders of rock’s eternal flame. —Jeff Miller, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2025

With a regulation loss, the Wild would no longer control their destiny, and their playoff hopes would be in serious peril. —Michael Russo, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

With two regular-season games remaining, the Wild still control their own playoff destiny but are now at significant risk of an eighth-place finish, which would mean a playoff visit to conference-leading Winnipeg starting next week. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2025

Newcastle stands eight games away from achieving what most fans would have called a dream season back in August, with its destiny in its own hands and two more huge home matches to prepare for. —Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English destinee, from Anglo-French, from feminine of destiné, past participle of destiner — see destine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing destiny

• manifest destiny

Kids Definition

destiny

noun

des·​ti·​ny ˈdes-tə-nē 

plural destinies

1

: something to which a person or thing is destined : fortune

2

: the course of events held to be arranged by a superhuman power