Thesaurus results for DESTINY

Q: How is the word 'destiny' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of destiny are doom , fate , lot , and portion . While all these words mean "a predetermined state or end," destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end. // the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

Q: When could 'doom' be used to replace 'destiny'?

The synonyms doom and destiny are sometimes interchangeable, but doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate. // if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

Q: When is it sensible to use 'fate' instead of 'destiny'?

While the synonyms fate and destiny are close in meaning, fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome. // the fate of the submarine is unknown

Q: How are the words 'lot' and 'portion' related as synonyms of 'destiny'?

Both lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance. // it was her lot to die childless

Q: When is 'portion' a more appropriate choice than 'destiny'?

The words portion and destiny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, portion implies the apportioning of good and evil. // remorse was his daily portion

destiny

noun

ˈde-stə-nē

Definition of destiny next

as in fate

a state or end that seemingly has been decided beforehand I just knew that it wasn't my destiny to end up in a dead-end job

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How is the word destiny distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of destiny are doom, fate, lot, and portion. While all these words mean "a predetermined state or end," destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end.

the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

When could doom be used to replace destiny?

The synonyms doom and destiny are sometimes interchangeable, but doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

When is it sensible to use fate instead of destiny?

While the synonyms fate and destiny are close in meaning, fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

How are the words lot and portion related as synonyms of destiny?

Both lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance.

it was her lot to die childless

When is portion a more appropriate choice than destiny?

The words portion and destiny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, portion implies the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

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 destiny Our weather destiny will be controlled by an area of high pressure east of Maine. —

Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 18 May 2026 The culinary destiny, at least from the outside, looks pre-loaded. —

Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 With a rock in a sock, Racine cleaves her own bloody swath down her father’s path, embracing her genetic destiny. —

Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026 This means your genes are not your destiny. —

Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for destiny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for destiny

fate

Noun

Putting words on the page seems too low stakes to get worked up about, and yet the terror of saying something taboo—or just being boring—feels like a terrible fate to most writers.

— David O’Neill, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
Amy Dickham, a professor of wildlife conservation at the University of Oxford, questioned the need to focus on Timmy when many other marine animals suffer similar fates or injuries caused by human activity.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026

Definition of fate

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destining

destiny

destitute

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“Destiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destiny. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of destiny

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