as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a fateful encounter with a confidence man that they would long regret
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Recent Examples of fateful
Neymar missed that fateful day with an injury suffered in Brazil’s quarterfinal win over Colombia.
—
Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
But 18 months later, the team was sold, and young role players Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson were shipped off to Brooklyn in the fateful Durant trade.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
For The Times) Glauber’s work was enough to hold his team in the game, but USC still had a 3-2 lead heading to the fateful bottom of the ninth.
—Alan Cole, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
Because of their heavy use, vacuums can have short lifespans and develop issues that go undetected until that fateful day when a powerful odor fills your home.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fateful
Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
But 18 months later, the team was sold, and young role players Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson were shipped off to Brooklyn in the fateful Durant trade.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
For The Times) Glauber’s work was enough to hold his team in the game, but USC still had a 3-2 lead heading to the fateful bottom of the ninth.
—Alan Cole, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
Because of their heavy use, vacuums can have short lifespans and develop issues that go undetected until that fateful day when a powerful odor fills your home.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fateful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fateful
Adjective
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Labour has teetered on the edge of one for weeks after those disastrous local election results, and only Burnham’s inability to run before now seems to have delayed one.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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On Monday night, David Remnick interviewed Hillary Rodham Clinton for a live taping of The New Yorker Radio Hour, where the former First Lady spoke plainly about Joe Biden and the disastrous 2024 election.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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The fatal attack came 16 days later.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
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Detectives identified James Goodman, 39, and Devinae Mitchell, 26, both of Hercules, as suspects in the fatal shooting, police said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
Adjective
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The visible gap for the door mechanism running across the rear fenders is unfortunate, especially since more basic minivans showcase clean surfaces there.—
Tim Stevens,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
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Here's Sophie Cunningham dominating another pre-game entrance before an unfortunate loss to Angel Reese last night.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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During The Great Dying, massive volcanic eruptions triggered catastrophic climate changes that altered the planet’s entire biosphere.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
18 June 2026
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Only the United States was humiliated; both countries have experienced a catastrophic loss.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fateful. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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