FORTUITOUS Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'fortuitous' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fortuitous are accidental , casual , and contingent . While all these words mean "not amenable to planning or prediction," fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause. // a series of fortuitous events

Q: When is it sensible to use 'accidental' instead of 'fortuitous'?

The meanings of accidental and fortuitous largely overlap; however, accidental stresses chance. // any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

Q: When might 'casual' be a better fit than 'fortuitous'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fortuitous , casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent. // a casual encounter with a stranger

Q: When could 'contingent' be used to replace 'fortuitous'?

Although the words contingent and fortuitous have much in common, contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence. // the contingent effects of the proposed law

fortuitous

adjective

fȯr-ˈtü-ə-təs

Definition of fortuitous next

as in fortunate

coming or happening by good luck especially unexpectedly your arrival just before the thunderstorm was fortuitous

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in accidental

happening by chance firmly believes that the creation of the universe was something other than just the fortuitous coming together of particles of matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fortuitous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fortuitous are accidental, casual, and contingent. While all these words mean "not amenable to planning or prediction," fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause.

a series of fortuitous events

When is it sensible to use accidental instead of fortuitous?

The meanings of accidental and fortuitous largely overlap; however, accidental stresses chance.

any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

When might casual be a better fit than fortuitous?

While in some cases nearly identical to fortuitous, casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent.

a casual encounter with a stranger

When could contingent be used to replace fortuitous?

Although the words contingent and fortuitous have much in common, contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence.

the contingent effects of the proposed law

Examples 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 fortuitous The announcement comes at a fortuitous time, given a recent glowing report from Spanish trade and investment body ICEX and entertainment analytics org, Parrot Analytics. —

Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024 My timing was quite fortuitous because just a few months later Covid happened and the pandemic, of course, forced everyone to slow down their operations. —

Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2024 But meeting Little Feat was fortuitous and spurred three albums with them. —

Devon Ivie, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024 Martinelli cut back onto his right foot and fired his shot against the post, but a fortuitous rebound hit Riznyk on the back and the helpless Shakhtar goalkeeper turned around to see the ball creep over the line. —

Matias Grez, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fortuitous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortuitous

Adjective

The contempt of the working man and catering to the most fortunate among us will only continue to depress turnout and membership for the Democratic party in the long run.

Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Megan feels fortunate that her boys are loved and always taken care of.

Julia Moore, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024