Synonyms for

Fatal

Verb / ˈfeɪtʌl / Another word for fatal — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

causing death or disaster

Synonyms & similar words

calamitous nonfatal black disastrous fateful deadly mortal lethal destructive disastrous calamitous ruinous catastrophic tragic terminal final irreparable irrevocable irrecoverable incurable untreatable inoperable intractable hopeless fateful

Synonyms by register

Formal

lethal deadly terminal mortal

Informal

killer deadly no joke

Literary

bane doom-laden deathly

Antonyms

harmless safe nonlethal minor slight inconsequential beneficial

Common collocations

  • fatal flaw
  • fatal accident
  • fatal blow
  • fatal error
  • fatal attraction
  • fatal disease
  • fatal outcome
  • fatal wound

Word family

noun fatality
adjective fatal
adverb fatally

Usage note

Often used to describe things that cause death or disaster. Can also be used figuratively for something that causes ruin or failure.

Example sentences

  1. The snakes venom can be fatal to humans.
  2. The storm caused fatal damage to many homes.
  3. The doctor said the patients condition was fatal.
  4. The pilots mistake led to a fatal airplane crash.
  5. The medication has the potential to be fatal if not taken correctly.

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