fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.
the fate of the submarine is unknown
destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end.
the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world
lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance
it was her lot to die childless
, portion implying the apportioning of good and evil.
remorse was his daily portion
doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.
if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain
Examples of destiny in a Sentence
They believed it was their destiny to be together.
motivated by a sense of destiny
Recent Examples on the WebBlessed with Pearson’s burbling wit, Oswald swiftly demolishes one of Edward’s foundational lies—that appearance confers destiny—and turns the movie’s very premise on its head.—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024 Eclipses are incredible because they are intricately connected to fate and destiny.—Katie Robinson, StyleCaster, 13 Sep. 2024 The fundamentals on various issues favor Republicans, from views of the economy to immigration, which is why demographics are not necessarily destiny.—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 6 Sep. 2024 Unwilling to bend the knee before his country’s oppressors, William Tell is thrust into a perilous trial, one that draws him and his family into the epicenter of a revolution that will shape the destiny of his nation.—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for destiny
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'destiny.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English destinee, from Anglo-French, from feminine of destiné, past participle of destiner — see destine
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