fatal

adjective

fa·​tal ˈfā-tᵊl How to pronounce fatal (audio)
1
a
: causing death
a fatal crash
a fatal disease
a fatal wound
b
: bringing ruin
a fatal attraction to gambling
c
: causing failure
a fatal design flaw
Lack of sufficient support was fatal to his campaign.
2
a
: determining one's fate
the fatal flaw in this dazzling woman: a total lack of tasteMarya Mannes
b
: of or relating to fate
… this science sets a fatal necessity on things …H. O. Taylor
c
: resembling fate in proceeding according to a fixed sequence
3
: fateful
a fatal hour
4
obsolete : fated
Choose the Right Synonym for fatal

deadly, mortal, fatal, lethal mean causing or capable of causing death.

deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

Examples of fatal in a Sentence

a disease that is often fatal a chemical that can be fatal to birds She made a fatal mistake.
Recent Examples on the Web Following the accidental shooting death of a Rust cinematographer, and a crew member’s fatal fall while working on the set for Marvel’s Wonder Man last month, workers have heightened concerns around general safety. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 Five of the incidents where officers used both launchers and firearms were fatal. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Six people arrested in connection with the fatal beating of 16-year-old Preston Lord made their first appearances in court Thursday. Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 Ibogaine is known to induce arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, which in severe cases can lead to fatal cardiac arrest. Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Emergency officials work the scene of a fatal small plane crash alongside Interstate 40 late on March 4, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024 The fatal collision happened between 1:30 a.m. and 2:45 a.m. on March 2 in the 700 block of El Camino Real, near Brewster Avenue, according to the Redwood City Police Department. Jason Green, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Prior to the Air Alaska catastrophe, Boeing appeared en route to at least approximating its fantastic run prior to the two fatal crashes. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Bebe Hodges Two additional suspects were arrested Friday in connection with a fatal shooting in Evanston earlier this month. The Enquirer, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fatal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin fatalis, from fatum fate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of fatal was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near fatal

Cite this Entry

“Fatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fatal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fatal

adjective
fa·​tal ˈfāt-ᵊl How to pronounce fatal (audio)
1
: deciding one's fate : fateful
on that fatal day
2
: causing death or ruin
a fatal accident
fatally
-ᵊl-ē
adverb

Medical Definition

fatal

adjective
fa·​tal ˈfāt-ᵊl How to pronounce fatal (audio)
: causing death
a fatal diabetic comaHavelock Ellis
fatally adverb

Legal Definition

fatal

adjective
fa·​tal
1
: causing failure of a legal claim or cause of action
a fatal defect in the proceedingsW. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
2
: making something (as a contract) invalid or unenforceable
there is a fatal indefiniteness with the result that the agreement is voidJ. D. Calamari and J. M. Perillo
fatally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on fatal

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