Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of providential are fortunate, happy, and lucky. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

When is fortunate a more appropriate choice than providential?

While the synonyms fortunate and providential are close in meaning, fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

How is happy related to other words for providential?

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

a series of happy accidents

In what contexts can lucky take the place of providential?

The meanings of lucky and providential largely overlap; however, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

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 providential Many a past biographer has observed that Lincoln understood himself as an actor in a providential drama. John Fabian Witt, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2022 Meacham bids to be the redeemer in chief of the narrative of American exceptionalism: the venerable if now-shopworn story in which the United States has a providential and world-historic role as a nation distinctively dedicated to human liberty. John Fabian Witt, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2022 Church tradition affirms the providential nature of international commerce. Dylan Pahman, WSJ, 20 Oct. 2022 Her support in polls steadily expanded from 4 percent in 2018 to 25 percent in a country where even moderate voters have grown numb to fascist-communist name-calling but remain enthusiastic about new and potentially providential leaders. Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022 See all Example Sentences for providential 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for providential
Adjective
  • Dyson wrote in the op-ed that while the company was fortunate enough to have £140 million to invest in improving farming infrastructure, few other farmers had that kind of financial success.
    BYPrarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 4 Nov. 2024
  • For us and for other animals, however, there’s a second fortunate result: Oxygen.
    Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • From cuddly rodents to happy amphibians to waddling birds, enjoy these delightful animals.
    Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Aaron Cash, one of Quinteros' attorneys, said his client was happy with the judge's decision.
    Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Prior to these tests, the scientists called each participant and told them to bring a personal lucky charm to the experiment.
    Popular Science Staff, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Phew, no world war, and lucky McGee got to wear a comfy hoodie in the office for the crisis.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • 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
Adjective
  • This pattern of growth in cities like Houston, Atlanta, and DC isn’t coincidental.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 4 Nov. 2024
  • His highlighting Trump’s remark may not have been coincidental.
    Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near providential

Cite this Entry

“Providential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/providential. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on providential

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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