1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
I made the fatal mistake of sharing my secret with the office's biggest blabbermouth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fatal
Neither drugs nor alcohol were believed to factor in the fatal collision, CHP officials said.
—
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
There are some legitimate medical uses for fentanyl, including post-surgery and severe pain relief, but it is often mixed in with other illicit drugs and can be fatal.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adamson said within a month and a half of ELMNT Lounge owner Rajvir Bains taking ownership of the business on June 1, two fatal shootings happened outside the club.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Young Christoph wrote in the knowledge that Bonhoeffer’s correspondence was being monitored and that a careless word could have fatal consequences.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fatal
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
There are some legitimate medical uses for fentanyl, including post-surgery and severe pain relief, but it is often mixed in with other illicit drugs and can be fatal.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adamson said within a month and a half of ELMNT Lounge owner Rajvir Bains taking ownership of the business on June 1, two fatal shootings happened outside the club.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Young Christoph wrote in the knowledge that Bonhoeffer’s correspondence was being monitored and that a careless word could have fatal consequences.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fatal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatal
Adjective
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Since the election, Democrats have worked to recruit candidates and relay messaging with the goal of resonating with voters after a disastrous 2024.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Oct. 2025
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Report Despite a disastrous start to the season, the Ravens hope to turn around their fortunes by beating a Bears team on a four-game winning streak.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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None of the agencies have claimed responsibility for using less-lethal weapons.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Oct. 2025
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But the lethal force has raised several legal questions, as past administrations have relied on law enforcement to interdict drug shipments.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Even environmentalists like Al Gore who once fretted about catastrophic accidents and radioactive waste are warming to the technology.—
Brad Plumer,
New York Times,
22 Oct. 2025
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That much rain over mountainous terrain in the area could trigger catastrophic flash flooding and landslides.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Weather events, like extreme heat and wildfires, are becoming more common due to climate change and are having a deadly impact on the lives of thousands.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
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What ostensibly started as a war against the flow of the deadly opioid fentanyl has now ballooned into a far broader clash – spanning rare earths, American soybean exports, technology controls and China’s energy dealings with Russia.—
Jhasua Razo,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Overall, prosecutors allege the nearly three-dozen defendants cheated unfortunate players out of at least $7 million.—
Ben Brachfeld,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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The knee injury marks an unfortunate end to Duck’s second season.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fatal. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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