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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective mortal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mortal are deadly, fatal, and lethal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

When might deadly be a better fit than mortal?

While in some cases nearly identical to mortal, deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When is fatal a more appropriate choice than mortal?

The words fatal and mortal can be used in similar contexts, but fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

Where would lethal be a reasonable alternative to mortal?

In some situations, the words lethal and mortal are roughly equivalent. However, lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

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 mortal
Adjective
According to Greek mythology, Castor and Pollux were the maternal twin sons of Leda, the mortal queen of Sparta. Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025 Wizards Beyond Waverly Place follows an adult Justin Russo, who has chosen to lead a normal, mortal life with his family, Giada, Roman and Milo. Katie Campione, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
At least not one that mere mortals could access. Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025 The character combines the entitlement of Brice in No Way Out and the alienation from normal human behavior that becomes a comic spectacle in The Birdcage with a level of darkness that wouldn’t be out of place in a David Lynch production about evil forces possessing mortals. Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mortal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortal
Adjective
  • Here’s what the bone analysis revealed about the man and how the researchers determined what was behind the lethal bite markings.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2025
  • James Osgood will be executed by lethal injection just after 6 p.m. Thursday at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • At least eight people were killed in drone strikes across the country, a night after Russia launched its deadliest bombardment of Ukraine since the middle of last year.
    Todd Symons, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Listen to this article A woman driver who fatally struck a 57-year-old pedestrian in Brooklyn in January has been arrested— three months after the deadly crash, police said.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But human activity is responsible for about 90% of all wildfires in the nation.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Addressing these vulnerabilities requires a thoughtful, systematic approach that leverages both technological solutions and human expertise.
    Andres Zunino, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • John Shine described to me a research trip to the hostile mountain environs of Tasmania, where snakes stay under cover except for the 20 or 30 warm days each year.
    Stephen S. Hall, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Union members shared other experiences and stories, including those of an increasingly hostile work environment for some.
    Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The former vice president, who lost to Trump in the November election, will give her most extensive public remarks since leaving office during the keynote at the San Francisco gala, according to a person familiar with the program.
    CNN.com, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Ever since Donald Trump nominated Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defense, critics have called the former Fox News weekend host the most underqualified person to ever hold the position.
    John Ficarra, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Across all suicide attempts not involving a firearm, only 4% result in death; but for firearm suicide, approximately 90% of attempts are fatal.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • How Many Aviation Crashes Were There in 2024? NTSB data shows that throughout 2024, there were 1,199 aviation incidents and accidents, 180 of which were fatal.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • An Oakland bicyclist is dead following a Friday night hit-and-run incident.
    Stephanie Lam, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
  • That being said, the dream of NXT Europe isn't dead.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, the negative effects on the economy could be significant, prompting the Fed to lower rates sooner and more sharply.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
  • But if your reflection is limited to replaying the negative parts of your social interactions and perpetuating feelings of shame or self-criticism, that’s less constructive, says Janeé Steele, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
    Seraphina Seow, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mortal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortal. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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