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

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 fortunate That the hosts ended the afternoon with a full complement of players will no doubt have vexed Stockport on their trip back across the border after James McClean was fortunate to see yellow rather than red for a crude first-half challenge on Hills. Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025 Their homes survived the fire, but life is still difficult for these Altadena locals Rosa Ramirez is one of many Altadena residents who seemed fortunate, at first. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025 A lot of people aren't fortunate to travel all over the world to get different experiences. Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Other passengers across the globe were less fortunate. Francesca Street, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fortunate

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Cite this Entry

“Fortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortunate. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fortunate

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