Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fateful differ from other similar words?

The words ominous and portentous are common synonyms of fateful. While all three words mean "having a menacing or threatening aspect," fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance.

the fateful conference that led to war

Where would ominous be a reasonable alternative to fateful?

Although the words ominous and fateful have much in common, ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster.

ominous rumblings from the volcano

When is it sensible to use portentous instead of fateful?

While the synonyms portentous and fateful are close in meaning, portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity.

an eerie and portentous stillness

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 fateful One fateful gig at the Gaslight Cafe in Greenwich Village changed all that. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2025 But as the bill awaits that fateful hearing, the changes from last year have smoothed the criticisms that ultimately proved fatal. Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2025 Everyone is a suspect, and there’s a lot of buildup to finding out what happened at a fateful St. Patrick’s Day party 15 years prior — especially when Chelsea (Ilana Glazer) makes a mysterious reference to an incident that made the entire school ostracize her. Marianne Eloise, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025 Paramount Theatre, March 9, 11 a.m. The Threesome One fateful night, the stars seemingly align for Connor — a kind and unassuming young man — as his long-time crush — the electric and irreverent Olivia — steers them into a threesome with a sweet, alluring stranger Jenny. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fateful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fateful
Adjective
  • No punishment for shooting a disastrous 24 percent from 3, the team’s worst perimeter performance since its 6-for-23 effort from deep against St. John’s on Feb. 23.
    Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Or how about their disastrous appearance on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here?
    EW Staff, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The ordeal ended with the fatal exchange of gunfire about 9:50 p.m., more than five hours after the first call to deputies.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • That is known as meconium aspiration syndrome – a potentially fatal condition that occurs in 5% to 10% of births but is treatable if diagnosed in time.
    Khwaga Ghani, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Here at home, extreme weather exacerbated by climate change is having many unfortunate impacts on our lives, from farmers losing crops to devastating floods, brush fires, and high heat days.
    Michael Leone, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Viet and Nam try to make sense of the tragic deaths of unfortunate people like Nam’s father, while their film namesake also attempts to do similar for people like those who have perished when attempting to find a new life.
    Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fateful. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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