Synonym Chooser

How is the word fortunate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fortunate are happy, lucky, and providential. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

How does the word happy relate to other synonyms for fortunate?

Happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed.

a series of happy accidents

When is lucky a more appropriate choice than fortunate?

While the synonyms lucky and fortunate are close in meaning, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

Where would providential be a reasonable alternative to fortunate?

In some situations, the words providential and fortunate are roughly equivalent. However, providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

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 fortunate Join 6 others in the comments View Comments Trump’s reelection and his newfound enthusiasm for crypto came at a fortunate time for Sun, the 34-year-old founder of blockchain company Tron. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 22 May 2025 Pennies will remain legal tender, which is fortunate since more than a billion dollar's worth are in circulation. Scott Horsley, NPR, 22 May 2025 But Chadwick doubts researchers will be fortunate enough to videotape Axial Seamount’s eruption. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025 Winnipeg was extremely fortunate to go into the locker room even. Murat Ates, New York Times, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortunate
Adjective
  • Bronwen Sciortino, author & simplicity expert teaching easy ways to tailor-make healthy, happy & highly successful lives.
    Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • That said, Bono was more than happy to be included in the Trump dump.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Before then, a lucky lottery ticket holder in Illinois took home a $344 million jackpot on March 25, while another lucky person hit the Mega Millions jackpot on Jan. 17 for $113 million.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • Ramsay recently revealed that more than 500 of the lucky beckoning cats have been stolen from the restaurant — at a total cost of more than 2,000 pounds.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortunate. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fortunate

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