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

While Bryson has always had Jamar around for advice and guidance, the elder Nesbit has seen his son take control of his destiny. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2025

If the small distance between the white dwarfs wasn't evidence enough of their doomed destiny, their combined mass certainly sealed their fate. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025

King left guests with the parting wisdom to be the master of their own destiny. —Natasha Dye, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025

But beneath driving rain and amid a thunderous atmosphere, the home side had staged a stirring fightback, scoring four goals without reply to seize control of their destiny in the competition. —Tom Williams, New York Times, 8 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