as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a fateful encounter with a confidence man that they would long regret
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Recent Examples of fateful
That was 38 years ago this month, and the lipstick hue the makeup artist chose that fateful day has remained a constant in her makeup routine ever since.
—
Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Ballantine, June 3 Image Flashlight by Susan Choi Absences — of relatives, family memories and a historical record — abound in Choi’s slippery and explosive novel, which hinges on a Korean American family’s fateful trip to Japan.
—Laura Thompson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Whether more was said that fateful night in the Fijian jungle is moot because Kyle didn’t need all that extra flair.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 21 May 2025
After a fateful encounter some years ago, Sion and Nezumi are thrust back into each other’s lives, and grapple with the feelings that slowly culminate between them.
—Kazuma Hashimoto, Them., 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fateful
Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Ballantine, June 3 Image Flashlight by Susan Choi Absences — of relatives, family memories and a historical record — abound in Choi’s slippery and explosive novel, which hinges on a Korean American family’s fateful trip to Japan.
—Laura Thompson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Whether more was said that fateful night in the Fijian jungle is moot because Kyle didn’t need all that extra flair.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 21 May 2025
After a fateful encounter some years ago, Sion and Nezumi are thrust back into each other’s lives, and grapple with the feelings that slowly culminate between them.
—Kazuma Hashimoto, Them., 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fateful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fateful
Adjective
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The Giants didn’t have a disastrous road trip, winning two of their three series, but taking just two out of three against rebuilding teams won’t be enough to catch the Dodgers, and getting swept by contending teams will leave them outside of the wild-card chase.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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Following a disastrous accident, Cadence's life changes forever, disrupting the harmony builtbetween her, her family, and her inner circle.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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In addition to the loss of wildlife, collisions are also fatal to humans.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
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Her father was charged A CT baby had fractures and injuries medical personnel say could have been fatal.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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The timing of Correa’s five-game absence for a concussion sustained in Baltimore on May 15 was unfortunate.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
27 May 2025
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This is especially unfortunate because the plot itself is quite harrowing.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fateful. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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