1
: having a quality of ominous prophecy
a fateful remark
2
a
: involving momentous consequences : decisive
made his fateful decision to declare war—
W. L. Shirer
b
3
: controlled by fate : foreordained
fatefulness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of fateful in a Sentence
His life changed on that fateful November evening.
Hundreds perished on that fateful day.
Her campaign took a fateful turn.
Recent Examples on the Web
Perfect for anyone who remembers that fateful day, or as an introduction for anyone who doesn't.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024
The author presents us with a dual progression: the tale of modern-day father and son treasure hunters and their search for the Connaught, interspersed with a recreation of the fateful journey of that vessel itself.
—Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 3 Dec. 2024
Franks confirmed that Pedro Hernandez himself had fired the fateful shot, then fled to Mexico.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 25 Nov. 2024
Many in the Saban theater were visibly moved by the film, which re-traced Davidian’s actions on that fateful, terrible day and includes actual footage from his truck cams.
—Alex Ben Block, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Fateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fateful. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
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