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
Relevance
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
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
According to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Beaufort-Leslie Fire Protection District, the teen was involved in a fatal accident about 60 miles west of St. Louis.
—
Oumou Fofana, Essence, 7 Apr. 2025
The ordeal ended with the fatal exchange of gunfire about 9:50 p.m., more than five hours after the first call to deputies.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2025
That is known as meconium aspiration syndrome – a potentially fatal condition that occurs in 5% to 10% of births but is treatable if diagnosed in time.
—Khwaga Ghani, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025
The killing is Olathe’s second homicide of the year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fatal
Oumou Fofana, Essence, 7 Apr. 2025
The ordeal ended with the fatal exchange of gunfire about 9:50 p.m., more than five hours after the first call to deputies.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2025
That is known as meconium aspiration syndrome – a potentially fatal condition that occurs in 5% to 10% of births but is treatable if diagnosed in time.
—Khwaga Ghani, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025
The killing is Olathe’s second homicide of the year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fatal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatal
Adjective
-
Economists and experts in foreign policy, trade, and business are warning that this approach could be disastrous and potentially land the country in significant stagflation, in which the economy would see a major slowdown, inflation would rise, and unemployment might also head upward.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Mannes said the compromise child care bill could have disastrous implications.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
When carboxyhemoglobin saturation exceeds 50%, it is considered lethal.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Astronauts on a mission to Mars lasting several years would be exposed to potentially lethal amounts of radiation, Pitts said.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
As fate would have it, the very destructive and deadly wildfires that swept through Los Angeles neighborhoods this year erupted as its city officials were struggling to close a large gap in their budget.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
1 Apr. 2025
-
However, all this rest and relaxation takes a deadly turn as a cloaked killer enters the premises.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The self-deportation of a University of Florida student reveals the new reality for many immigrants — any brush with the law can set off a chain of unfortunate events.—
Clara-Sophia Daly,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
-
This ancestor of mine was born at a good time for ornate garments, but at an unfortunate time and place for tuberculosis.—
Denise Snodell,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fatal. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share