fatalism

noun

fa·​tal·​ism ˈfā-tə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce fatalism (audio)
: a doctrine that events are fixed in advance so that human beings are powerless to change them
also : a belief in or attitude determined by this doctrine
fatalism that regards social problems as simply inevitable
fatalist noun
fatalistic adjective
fatalistically adverb

Examples of fatalism in a Sentence

Many people seem to have developed a sense of fatalism about the war.
Recent Examples on the Web The answer will vary from viewer to viewer, but to these eyes Villeneuve enters into what could have been toxic with a conscious, scene-by-scene sense of fatalism, Chalamet stirring his character’s rise with notes of rage, guilt, unhappiness and imposter syndrome. Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 The finale ends on a bleak note, which is in keeping with the comedy’s undercurrent of fatalism. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 15 Feb. 2024 Boyle brings sly humor and a weary fatalism to Bruckman, and his cryptic insights into the agents' final confrontation with the killer raise questions about free will and determinism. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 10 Sep. 2023 This counteracts what’s known as climate change fatalism. Matt Simon, WIRED, 27 Dec. 2023 Those advisers paint a portrait of a disillusioned presidential candidacy, marked by finger-pointing, fatalism and grand plans designed in a Tallahassee hotel in early spring gone awry by winter. Nicholas Nehamas, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2023 There’s also a sense of fatalism about the disease, which also prevents many people from getting screened. Claretta Bellamy, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2023 There’s a bizarre fatalism to the narrative that could be intriguing, should the powers-that-be opt to capitalize on it. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2023 Harrow reaches into the dark heart of America, finding hope instead of fatalism. Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fatalism was in 1678

Dictionary Entries Near fatalism

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

fatalism

noun
fa·​tal·​ism ˈfāt-ᵊl-ˌiz-əm How to pronounce fatalism (audio)
: the belief or attitude that events are decided in advance by powers beyond one's control
fatalist noun
fatalistic adjective
fatalistically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on fatalism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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