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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective mortal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mortal are deadly, fatal, and lethal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

When might deadly be a better fit than mortal?

While in some cases nearly identical to mortal, deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When is fatal a more appropriate choice than mortal?

The words fatal and mortal can be used in similar contexts, but fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

Where would lethal be a reasonable alternative to mortal?

In some situations, the words lethal and mortal are roughly equivalent. However, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

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 mortal
Adjective
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place follows an adult Justin Russo (Henrie), who has chosen to lead a normal, mortal life with his family; that is, until his sister Alex (Gomez) introduces him to Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), a wizard-in-training who needs Justin’s mentorship. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Oct. 2024 However, when Victor accidentally resurrects a dead Victoria-era woman named Emily (Helena Bonham Carter), he's transported to the much more lively Land of the Dead — ultimately forcing him to choose between his mortal fiancée and his new corpse bride. Keith Langston, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024
Noun
Unfortunately for us mere mortals, those are a cool £950 a pop. Esther Newman, refinery29.com, 23 Oct. 2024 Principal oboe player Cassie Pilgrim, in her opening remarks, said the music was meant to be a conversation between the angels (the English horns) and mortals (French horns). Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mortal 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortal
Adjective
  • Police began investigating James Craig in the death of his wife after a business partner informed them Craig had ordered potassium cyanide to be sent to his dental practice, their affidavit said, drawing the concern of the partner because the chemical is highly lethal if ingested.
    Andi Babineau, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
  • This bill would allow doctors to prescribe lethal drugs to patients who meet certain criteria.
    The Editors, National Review, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • However, the voyage takes a deadly turn when a dangerous political assassin aboard the ship, Richard Loffler (Kevin Durand), escapes custody and releases the animals to create chaos.
    Travis Bean, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024
  • Boyd serves as the de facto leader of the community, tasked with maintaining order and protecting the townspeople from the deadly creatures lurking in the woods.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • My favorite reads this year encourage us to look at nature for solutions to our many failing human systems.
    Longreads, Longreads, 22 Nov. 2024
  • What was revealed that day was how a dramatic human moment could be captured by the distinct storytelling art of the modern sports filmmaking of the NBA.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Oasis endured a hostile split in 2009, after years of headlines related to the Gallagher siblings’ fierce rivalry.
    Sophie Williams, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024
  • As Assad’s government teetered on the brink of collapse, Hezbollah stepped in decisively to safeguard the regime and prevent the emergence of a new regime in Damascus that would be hostile to the axis.
    Renad Mansour, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Zach Thomas became the 18th person to have been employed by the Miami Dolphins to have gained entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he was inducted last year.
    Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024
  • Curiously, the person sitting across from him appears to be Mel’s biological father Everett so the two father-figure men in her life seem to have come together for her big day.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • All of the women were denied abortions despite facing fatal fetal diagnoses, life-threatening health risks or both.
    Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The charges include abandonment of a person followed by death and supplying narcotics, as Payne had traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system at the time of his fatal fall.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Allen, 52, is accused of killing two teens who went missing Feb. 13, 2017, and were found dead the next day.
    Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Riley was found dead from blunt force trauma, after Ibarra disfigured her face, per authorities.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • And there are cases where even unrelated tariffs can have negative consequences.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN, 30 Nov. 2024
  • Perry Hall had nine plays from scrimmage that went for negative yardage.
    Craig J. Clary, Baltimore Sun, 30 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near mortal

Cite this Entry

“Mortal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortal. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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