Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fatal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fatal are deadly, lethal, and mortal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

When is it sensible to use deadly instead of fatal?

While the synonyms deadly and fatal are close in meaning, deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When would lethal be a good substitute for fatal?

The meanings of lethal and fatal largely overlap; however, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

When might mortal be a better fit than fatal?

The synonyms mortal and fatal are sometimes interchangeable, but mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

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 Ingesting one can lead to sudden kidney failure, which can be fatal. Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025 These substances, while generally safe when taken as directed, can be extremely dangerous and even fatal if used in large quantities. Katia Hetter, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025 The school underwent a lockdown Tuesday after the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old student that started at a nearby shopping center but moved onto school property. Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2025 Gordon Cordeiro had his freedom secured on Friday after a judge ordered him released in light of new DNA evidence that led to the overturning of his conviction in the 1994 fatal shooting of Timothy Blaisdell on the island of Maui. Landon Mion, Fox News, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fatal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fatal
Adjective
  • Victor Kristiansen, January 2023 Similar to Faes, Kristiansen only knows a relegation dogfight in the Premier League after joining midway through the disastrous 2022-23 season.
    Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Three campaigns stand out — one weirdly funny, one weirdly disastrous and one weirdly endearing.
    Steven Hyden, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Minderoo Foundation, founded in 2001 and co-led by Forrest and his wife from whom he is separated, has come to fund everything from efforts to address lethal humidity to climate migration.
    Justin Worland, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Glossip nearly receives lethal injection Glossip has had nine separate execution dates scheduled and has nearly been executed several times.
    Sean Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Related article Inside the perfect storm of the deadly measles outbreak in Texas Also Friday, the New Mexico Department of Health reported 30 measles cases in Lea County, 20 more than had previously been identified in the state.
    Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
  • An all-too-common dispute between roommates turned deadly when a man suspected his privacy had been violated in a Nashville home, according to police in Tennessee.
    Mark Price, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • On Monday evening, within hours of learning of the directive, some state workers called the order stupid and unfortunate.
    William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Christie suffered from acute seasickness, unfortunate considering her trips to each continent were by ship.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fatal. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fatal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!