Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of providential are fortunate, happy, and lucky. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

When is fortunate a more appropriate choice than providential?

While the synonyms fortunate and providential are close in meaning, fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

How is happy related to other words for providential?

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

a series of happy accidents

In what contexts can lucky take the place of providential?

The meanings of lucky and providential largely overlap; however, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

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 providential Helping to weave all those strands into a single, elegant narrative is an Emory University astrochemist with a providential name: Susanna Widicus Weaver. Andrew Grant, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2011 Russia’s longstanding pursuit of a global position beyond its means—its aspiration to be a providential power, with a special mission in the world—has led it, again and again, to autocratic rule. WSJ, 4 Nov. 2022 Many a past biographer has observed that Lincoln understood himself as an actor in a providential drama. John Fabian Witt, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2022 Meacham bids to be the redeemer in chief of the narrative of American exceptionalism: the venerable if now-shopworn story in which the United States has a providential and world-historic role as a nation distinctively dedicated to human liberty. John Fabian Witt, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for providential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for providential
Adjective
  • The pitching was so good, the Phillies were fortunate to score at all and one run was unearned.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • Some people are that fortunate; my own Nana died, at a hundred and four, surrounded by family.
    Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • The fact remains that dogs absolutely thrive on high-quality food and need it to keep them happy and healthy.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • The industry wasn’t happy, but the Pentagon was the only buyer, so there wasn’t much that anyone could do about it.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • These guys were all stone cold losers who just got lucky, or almost lucky.
    Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • That’s where a solid and comfortable sandal comes in, and lucky for you, Zappos is holding a huge summer sale on thousands of options.
    Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Many of the anecdotes exchanged were about the film’s storied collaboration and of the decade-long, circuitous, and fortuitous path that led Forman to be hired by a then 29-year-old Michael Douglas.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 6 July 2025
  • Mexico benefited from Alexis Vega’s quick reactions and a fortuitous late own goal to remain on track to defend its Concacaf Gold Cup title with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
    Martin Rogers, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Any resemblance to actual places, events or persons – living or deceased – is purely coincidental and unintentional.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 5 July 2025
  • This deviation from the norm surely isn't coincidental.
    Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Providential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/providential. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on providential

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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