fateful

adjective

fate·​ful ˈfāt-fəl 

1

: having a quality of ominous prophecy

a fateful remark

2

a

: involving momentous consequences : decisive

made his fateful decision to declare war

—W. L. Shirer

b

: deadly, catastrophic

3

: controlled by fate : foreordained

fatefully

ˈfāt-fə-lē 

adverb

fatefulness noun

Synonyms

• calamitous
• cataclysmal
• cataclysmic
• catastrophic
• damning
• destructive
• disastrous
• fatal
• ruinous
• unfortunate

Choose the Right Synonym for fateful

ominous, portentous, fateful mean having a menacing or threatening aspect.

ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster.

ominous rumblings from the volcano

portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity.

an eerie and portentous stillness

fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance.

the fateful conference that led to war

Examples of fateful in a Sentence

His life changed on that fateful November evening.

Hundreds perished on that fateful day.

Her campaign took a fateful turn.

Recent Examples on the Web

Although Mufasa eventually integrates into the pride after a fateful race against Taka, Obasi never fully accepts him, ordering him to hang out with the female lions. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024

On that fateful day, over 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,000 more were injured. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024

On one fateful Christmas in 1939, a slight trace of snow was recorded. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 15 Dec. 2024

The morning after that fateful Zoom call, Black Bear officially put in an offer to fully finance the film. —Katcy Stephan, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1720, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fateful

adjective

fate·​ful ˈfāt-fəl 

1

: foretelling usually bad things to come

a fateful remark

2

: having serious results : important

a fateful decision

fatefully

-fə-lē 

adverb

fatefulness noun