Synonyms of mortal

mortal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmȯr-tᵊl 

1

as in lethal

likely to cause or capable of causing death

a mortal wound

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lethal
• deadly
• fatal
• poisonous
• infectious
• infective
• killer
• deathly
• terminal
• harmful
• murderous
• toxic
• dangerous
• baleful
• fell
• pestilent
• vital
• hazardous
• destructive
• injurious
• baneful
• pernicious
• deleterious
• serious
• pestilential
• perilous
• virulent
• noxious
• risky
• grave
• ugly
• truculent
• sanguinary
• grievous
• threatening
• sublethal
• bloody
• menacing
• unhealthy
• parlous
• sanguine
• unsound
• internecine
• jeopardizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• healthy
• healthful
• wholesome
• beneficial
• nonfatal
• nonlethal
• salutary
• salubrious
• remedial
• restorative
• curative
• useful
• corrective
• tonic
• advantageous
• safe
• alleviative
• nontoxic
• nonpoisonous

2

as in deadly

of, relating to, or suggestive of death

a wounded soldier writhing in mortal agony

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deadly
• dead
• spectral
• lethal
• murderous
• deathly
• mortuary
• phantom
• fatal
• ghostly
• fell
• lifeless
• inert
• still
• quiescent
• cadaverous
• inactive
• killer
• inoperative
• ghostlike
• fateful
• macabre
• baleful
• pestilent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• active
• breathing
• live
• alive
• living
• animate
• vital
• vigorous
• gay
• energetic
• spirited
• animated
• vivacious
• lively
• whole
• sprightly
• frisky
• brisk
• pert
• well
• perky
• bouncing
• springy
• healthy
• spanking
• sound
• jazzy
• wholesome
• jaunty
• peppy
• racy
• hale
• snappy
• fit
• able-bodied
• robust
• hearty
• sparky
• zippy
• chipper
• sprightful

3

as in human

relating to or characteristic of human beings

just an ordinary guy with all the usual mortal limitations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• human
• natural
• earthborn
• anthropoid
• humanoid
• humanlike
• hominid
• creatural

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• divine
• nonhuman
• immortal
• superhuman
• godlike
• supernatural
• angelic
• supernormal
• omnipotent
• preternatural
• omniscient
• animal
• brute
• bestial
• beastly
• inhuman
• robotic
• subhuman
• infrahuman

4

as in hostile

marked by opposition or ill will

have always had a mortal aversion to narcissistic people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hostile
• negative
• adverse
• adversary
• contentious
• unfavorable
• antagonistic
• inhospitable
• opposed
• unpleasant
• conflicting
• inimical
• adversarial
• unfriendly
• antipathetic
• jaundiced
• unsympathetic
• icy
• militant
• frigid
• distant
• malicious
• resisting
• contrary
• disagreeable
• belligerent
• combative
• malignant
• pugnacious
• bellicose
• antisocial
• quarrelsome
• cold
• truculent
• clashing
• disputatious
• malevolent
• hateful
• bitter
• argumentative
• scrappy
• unkind
• rude
• virulent
• surly
• unmannerly
• vindictive
• disapproving
• malign
• spiteful
• impertinent
• biased
• inconsiderate
• discourteous
• unsociable
• uncivil
• cool
• prejudiced
• acrimonious
• opprobrious
• impolite
• rancorous
• unloving
• ill-mannered
• despiteful
• ill-bred

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• social
• sympathetic
• civil
• friendly
• hospitable
• amiable
• pleasant
• warm
• gracious
• genial
• nonhostile
• cordial
• affable
• neighborly
• companionable
• loving
• kind
• gregarious
• convivial
• sociable
• amicable
• sweet
• nonantagonistic
• affectionate
• benign
• good-natured
• kindly
• devoted
• nice
• favorable
• agreeable
• comradely
• accepting
• understanding
• good-tempered
• empathetic
• welcoming
• warmhearted
• approving

mortal

2 of 2

noun

as in person

a member of the human race

just an ordinary mortal living an ordinary life

Synonyms & Similar Words

• person
• life
• man
• creature
• guy
• human
• soul
• individual
• thing
• body
• bird
• being
• fish
• sort
• baby
• customer
• devil
• egg
• character
• human being
• specimen
• duck
• party
• face
• personage
• personality
• scout
• cookie
• bod
• wight
• fellow
• son of man
• stiff
• slob
• head
• brother
• self
• homo
• humanoid
• hominid
• neighbor
• somebody
• celebrity
• fellowman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• animal
• beast
• brute
• critter
• beastie

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective mortal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mortal are deadly, fatal, and lethal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

When might deadly be a better fit than mortal?

While in some cases nearly identical to mortal, deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When is fatal a more appropriate choice than mortal?

The words fatal and mortal can be used in similar contexts, but fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

Where would lethal be a reasonable alternative to mortal?

In some situations, the words lethal and mortal are roughly equivalent. However, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

How does the adjective mortal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mortal are deadly, fatal, and lethal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

When might deadly be a better fit than mortal?

While in some cases nearly identical to mortal, deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When is fatal a more appropriate choice than mortal?

The words fatal and mortal can be used in similar contexts, but fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

Where would lethal be a reasonable alternative to mortal?

In some situations, the words lethal and mortal are roughly equivalent. However, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mortal

Adjective

Rushdie has been living under mortal threat ever since Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for the murder of the writer, in 1989. —Andrea Valdez, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2026

After scoring a more mortal 21 points in Thursday’s 112-105 win against Milwaukee – the Heat’s seventh victory in a row – Adebayo was circumspect, appreciative and reflective about making history. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026

Noun

Natalie Haynes fleshes out the backstories of her cast—Jason, a handsome ship captain on a quest for the Golden Fleece, the scheming sorceress Medea, and Olympian deities toying with mortals like marionettes—and imbues them all with contemporary vibes. —Hamilton Cain, Time, 3 Mar. 2026

In fact, praying to saints or ancestors elevated them above the status of mere mortals, effectively denying the singular might of God. —Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026