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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

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 mortal
Adjective
Ditto the fact that, mortal or immortal, the characters feel the pain of their injuries. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025 Were Andy and Quỳnh in love, or is the Hays Code-level homoeroticism between them meant to reflect a relationship too vast to be defined by mortal parameters? David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 July 2025
Noun
Sirens is smartest when paralleling the entitlement of 21st century American wealth with Ancient Greek divinity, skewering the insularity and entitlement of these modern plutocrats who throw galas to honor themselves and to torment or seduce the mortals who are their employees and playthings. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025 Certainly, easier said than done by us mere mortals, but with trying. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mortal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortal
Adjective
  • Police said less lethal munitions were deployed by federal authorities.
    Jenna Sundel Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
  • Their bites deliver one of the most lethal types of venom in North America.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Texan communities are dealing with the impact of the deadly flash floods along the Guadalupe River, which have killed at least 80 people so far.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 7 July 2025
  • Yolo County authorities announced Saturday the discovery of seven bodies at the site of Tuesday’s deadly fireworks explosion in rural Yolo County, matching the number of individuals reported missing in the blast.
    Michael McGough July 5, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • However, human clinical trials are essential before camel milk can be recommended as a treatment or preventive measure for asthma.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2025
  • Dubey’s vision makes marketing more human by making creativity more accessible and raising the quality bar.
    Jamie Gutfreund, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • Forced to work in a more hostile environment than.when it was first established in 2019, the mission faces limited options for evacuations due to the ongoing suspension of international commercial flights, and mobility, because of gangs’ ongoing gang encirclement of Port-au-Prince.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
  • From retail shops to corner bodegas and independent grocery stores, the past few years have not only forced small business owners to confront staggering economic challenges, but also a needlessly hostile regulatory environment brought on by out-of-touch policymakers.
    Tosha Miller, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Six other vacant roles have also since been eliminated, the person said.
    Sports Editor Follow, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
  • Officials have increased the reward for information leading to the person who fatally shot a 21-year-old congressional intern in Washington, D.C., last month.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Most had gone to sleep by the time of the fatal brawl.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
  • An attack in Boulder, Colorado, in June and the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C., in May, are two recent incidents of anti-Jewish violence that have rocked communities in the U.S. Advertisement Read More: The Rise of Antisemitism and Political Violence in the U.S.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Jackson reportedly last checked in with dispatch on June 7 and was eventually found dead by rangers eight days later on June 15 in a camping tent on the Duck Hole trail, which is located in the Adirondack High Peaks, according to the Adirondack Explorer.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 12 July 2025
  • Since the assassination attempt on Trump that left the 50-year-old father dead, the Comperatore family has grappled with lingering and unanswered questions about what led to Comperatore’s death that day.
    Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • That projection is based on the tariffs raising $2.6 trillion overall, while being offset by $418 billion in negative impacts.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • More urgently, defunding and censoring science could have dramatically negative consequences for all Americans.
    Matt Motta, Scientific American, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mortal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortal. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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