FATEFUL Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'fateful' differ from other similar words?

The words ominous and portentous are common synonyms of fateful . While all three words mean "having a menacing or threatening aspect," fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance. // the fateful conference that led to war

Q: Where would 'ominous' be a reasonable alternative to 'fateful'?

Although the words ominous and fateful have much in common, ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster. // ominous rumblings from the volcano

Q: When is it sensible to use 'portentous' instead of 'fateful'?

While the synonyms portentous and fateful are close in meaning, portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity. // an eerie and portentous stillness

fateful

adjective

ˈfāt-fəl

Definition of fateful next

as in disastrous

bringing about ruin or misfortune a fateful encounter with a confidence man that they would long regret

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective fateful differ from other similar words?

The words ominous and portentous are common synonyms of fateful. While all three words mean "having a menacing or threatening aspect," fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance.

the fateful conference that led to war

Where would ominous be a reasonable alternative to fateful?

Although the words ominous and fateful have much in common, ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster.

ominous rumblings from the volcano

When is it sensible to use portentous instead of fateful?

While the synonyms portentous and fateful are close in meaning, portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity.

an eerie and portentous stillness

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 fateful Two former firefighters who heroically responded to the 9/11 terror attacks in New York City have died due to illnesses related to that fateful day, according to the Uniformed Firefighters Association. —

Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2025 On New Year’s Eve, three weeks after the fateful meeting with the federal agent, Webb resigned as chief of staff for Thao’s campaign. —

Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2025 The official synopsis reads: An accident plunges Iceland into national mourning, and for young art student Una, that fateful 24-hour day will change her life forever. —

Zac Ntim, Deadline, 1 Feb. 2025 Investigators believe that had Pan not gotten stuck on the train tracks on that fateful February night, Jiang's murder may never have been solved. —

Murray Weiss, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fateful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fateful

Adjective

Gloria’s decision not to pay for an independent evaluation of warehouse health risks — in a city reeling from its disastrous acquisition of an uninhabitable Ash Street office tower — wasn’t just surprising.

— U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Trying to implement changes in a hurry can have disastrous results.

— Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025