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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fate distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fate are destiny, doom, lot, and portion. While all these words mean "a predetermined state or end," fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

When is it sensible to use destiny instead of fate?

The words destiny and fate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Where would doom be a reasonable alternative to fate?

The synonyms doom and fate are sometimes interchangeable, but doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

How do lot and portion relate to one another, in the sense of fate?

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

it was her lot to die childless

In what contexts can portion take the place of fate?

While in some cases nearly identical to fate, portion implies the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of fate
Noun
The fate of that funding could mean the difference between life and death, both for red wolves and the many other species that call the Alligator River refuge home. Ben Goldfarb, Vox, 14 Mar. 2025 Washington is unlikely to suffer so stark a fate, given the many barnacles that have attached themselves to its economy beyond the bureaucracy. Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
The big picture: New Orleans Saints fans had waited a long time to get to the Super Bowl, and the roster the team had then felt fated, especially in the early years after Hurricane Katrina. Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025 Resisting Liverpool and causing pandemonium in the process was almost fated. Phil Hay, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fate
Noun
  • Corey was taken from us much too soon, but his destiny was to leave us all with a shining example of the selfless devotion of a true American patriot.
    TIME Staff, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Here lies the tale of Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet), mismatched young people on a date with destiny, dreamed up by James Cameron, a filmmaker more associated with smart action films than epic tragic romances.
    Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The outcome in House District 40B could end Republicans' one-vote edge in the state House, returning the chamber to a rare 67-67 tie.
    Torey Van Oot, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The president didn’t rule it out as a potential outcome.
    William Gavin, Quartz, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Given the important roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards, the pressures that are exerted on them, and the failure of some boards to meet those challenges, some community leaders have advocated for their demise in favor of a different approach.
    Timothy J. McClimon, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Both brothers are quickly brought up to speed, though, when they’re made co-CEOs of the underground operation to fill the power vacuum left by Baba’s demise.
    Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Since the bill applies retroactively – all the way back to 1965 – it would be destined for serious legal challenges.
    Peter Kwong, Orange County Register, 10 Mar. 2025
  • These intricate dresses are destined to become heirlooms when treated with love and care.
    Joy Montgomery, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • That goal against came as a direct result of Pontus Holmberg badly losing a puck battle in the defensive zone, too.
    Nick Ashbourne, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • What do alleged mistakes made as the results of editorial decisions and/or failures within broadcasters in London have to do with a cohort of people reporting in the most deadly conflict for journalists since the Second World War?
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Edna Buchanan is the Pulitzer prize-winning crime reporter who covered more than 5,000 violent deaths during her 18-year career at the Miami Herald.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Missouri has the most deaths with 12, followed by Kansas with eight.
    Robert Shackelford, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Their overreliance on aging players, failure to address the team’s depth, and inability to replace Soto could doom them to their first sub-.500 finish since 1992.
    Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The strategy is almost always doomed to fail because investors don't know when to get back into the market to capture the rebound, while the stock market has historically always recovered even from major setbacks.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Show how data from customers/employees contributes to product innovations; present plans for sharing resultant value. 2.
    James Felton Keith, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Finally, the resultant structure was coated in potassium hydroxide, which washes away less stable structures and leaves behind thousands of microscopic pores.
    Michael Franco, New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Fate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fate. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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