FATAL Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'fatal' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fatal are deadly , lethal , and mortal . While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction. // fatal consequences

Q: When is it sensible to use 'deadly' instead of 'fatal'?

While the synonyms deadly and fatal are close in meaning, deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death. // a deadly disease

Q: When would 'lethal' be a good substitute for 'fatal'?

The meanings of lethal and fatal largely overlap; however, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life. // lethal gas

Q: When might 'mortal' be a better fit than 'fatal'?

The synonyms mortal and fatal are sometimes interchangeable, but mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable. // a mortal wound

fatal

adjective

ˈfā-tᵊl

Definition of fatal next

as in disastrous

bringing about ruin or misfortune I made the fatal mistake of sharing my secret with the office's biggest blabbermouth

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as in lethal

likely to cause or capable of causing death that snake's venom is fatal unless the victim is given the antidote almost immediately

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective fatal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fatal are deadly, lethal, and mortal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

When is it sensible to use deadly instead of fatal?

While the synonyms deadly and fatal are close in meaning, deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When would lethal be a good substitute for fatal?

The meanings of lethal and fatal largely overlap; however, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

When might mortal be a better fit than fatal?

The synonyms mortal and fatal are sometimes interchangeable, but mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

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 fatal Video shows different Brian Thompson Luigi Mangione is being held in a Pennsylvania prison and has been charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. —

Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024 Republicans make Trump's Michigan win official in electoral college ceremony Dearborn man faces murder charge in fatal stabbing of his 70-year-old mother Further information was not immediately available from the Roseville district or Detroit police. —

Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 18 Dec. 2024 Of those, 464 were fatal, for a case fatality rate of 49 percent. —

Ars Technica, 18 Dec. 2024 This week’s fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson has unleashed a wave of public feeling — exasperation, anger, resentment, helplessness — from Americans sharing personal stories of interactions with insurance companies, often seen as faceless corporate giants. —

Tom Murphy and Devi Shastri, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fatal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatal

Adjective

But the film’s poisonous reviews and disastrous box office all but torpedoed her Oscar hopes this year, and the film was shut out in Monday’s Globe nominations.

Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024
While Norris and Piastri scored points regularly, Red Bull’s defense of its title was hampered by Sergio Perez’s disastrous form, with the Mexican’s last podium coming in the sprint race in Miami.

Dan Cancian, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024