Synonyms of fate

fate 1 of 2

noun

ˈfāt 

1

as in destiny

a state or end that seemingly has been decided beforehand

the belief that it was this country's fate to extend from sea to sea

Synonyms & Similar Words

• destiny
• circumstance
• chance
• doom
• fortune
• portion
• luck
• kismet
• accident
• outcome
• hazard
• lot
• happenstance
• predestination
• result
• effect
• aftermath
• casualty
• development
• happenchance
• consequence
• issue
• upshot
• hap
• sequence
• resultant
• sequel
• conclusion
• outgrowth
• fruit
• aftereffect

2

as in outcome

a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause

the fate of the presidential election hinged on a few thousand votes in a single state

Synonyms & Similar Words

• outcome
• result
• resultant
• consequence
• product
• aftermath
• effect
• matter of course
• upshot
• sequel
• development
• issue
• fruit
• implication
• sequence
• precipitate
• child
• corollary
• aftereffect
• conclusion
• backwash
• outgrowth
• ramification
• denouement
• dénouement
• repercussion
• fallout
• side effect
• side reaction
• echo
• by-product
• aftershock
• afterglow
• afterclap
• blowback
• offshoot
• ripple
• spin-off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cause
• reason
• consideration
• factor
• occasion
• basis
• ground
• base
• causation
• antecedent
• foundation
• mother
• origin
• determinant
• source
• stimulus
• inspiration
• incentive
• spring
• groundwork
• root
• impetus
• instigation

3

as in demise

the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities

he met his fate in a tragic highway accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

• demise
• death
• doom
• passing
• dissolution
• end
• expiration
• grave
• exit
• decease
• passage
• sleep
• curtains
• expiry
• suicide
• destruction
• assassination
• quietus
• fatality
• great divide
• ending
• martyrdom
• execution
• casualty
• annihilation
• extermination
• slaughter
• ruin
• killing
• self-destruction
• massacre
• self-slaughter
• self-murder

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• birth
• life
• existence
• nativity
• creation
• rise
• genesis
• origination

fate

2 of 2

verb

ˈfāt 

as in to destine

to determine the fate of in advance

the warning that the lack of an advanced education will fate a person to a lifetime of below-average earnings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• destine
• doom
• ordain
• predetermine
• predestine
• preordain
• foreordain
• predict
• foredoom
• sentence
• condemn
• presage
• foretell
• prophesy
• prognosticate
• forecast
• divine
• prejudge
• augur
• foresee
• portend
• bode
• forebode
• anticipate
• forbode
• predestinate
• preconceive
• foreknow

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fate distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fate are destiny, doom, lot, and portion. While all these words mean "a predetermined state or end," fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

When is it sensible to use destiny instead of fate?

The words destiny and fate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Where would doom be a reasonable alternative to fate?

The synonyms doom and fate are sometimes interchangeable, but doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

How do lot and portion relate to one another, in the sense of fate?

Both lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance.

it was her lot to die childless

In what contexts can portion take the place of fate?

While in some cases nearly identical to fate, portion implies the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fate

Noun

But the fate of a major gun control bill remained murky in the evening, with debate still underway. —The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2025

There is concern about the conditions of hostages There remains concern about the fate of the 73 hostages remaining in Gaza. —Daniel Estrin, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025

Verb

Wall Street investors believe that, at least in the short term, certain asset classes such as gold and bitcoin could be fated to mirror their performances from the first time Donald Trump took office in 2017. —Lisa Kailai Han,gabriel Cortés, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025

This could result in making friends that feel serendipitous or fated, and with good reason. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025