Synonym Chooser

How is the word fortunate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fortunate are happy, lucky, and providential. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

How does the word happy relate to other synonyms for fortunate?

Happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed.

a series of happy accidents

When is lucky a more appropriate choice than fortunate?

While the synonyms lucky and fortunate are close in meaning, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

Where would providential be a reasonable alternative to fortunate?

In some situations, the words providential and fortunate are roughly equivalent. However, providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

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 fortunate On a power play after Coyle was called for an offensive zone hook, a fortunate bounce led to a Stefan Noesen goal at 16:01 from the side of the crease. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2025 Chris Pratt is thankful that his home is still standing after the Pacific Palisades wildfires, but shares that his ex-wife Anna Faris wasn’t as fortunate. Angel Saunders, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025 Colorado was fortunate to be even after 40 minutes, but Minnesota took control of this one with back-to-back goals early in the third. Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 20 Jan. 2025 Which was fortunate, as the film itself was an amateurish slog. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fortunate 

Thesaurus Entries Near fortunate

Cite this Entry

“Fortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortunate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fortunate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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