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Synonyms

fatally

American  
[fayt-l-ee] / ˈfeɪt l i /

adverb

  1. in a manner leading to death or disaster.

    He was injured fatally in the accident.

  2. by a decree of fate or destiny; by inevitable predetermination.


fatally British  
/ ˈfeɪtəlɪ /

adverb

  1. resulting in death or disaster

    fatally wounded in battle

  2. as decreed by fate; inevitably

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fatally

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at fatal, -ly


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The mother of a 15-year-old Ghanaian boy who was fatally shot in the United States last week has left Ghana for America after being granted an emergency visa by President Donald Trump.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

Days before a Times reporter visited Matson’s property, a pack of wild dogs dug under his fence and fatally mauled his only surviving adult ostrich, Bam Bam.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

Three divers were fatally mauled in separate incidents between May and June -- two in Western Australia and the third in Queensland.

From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026

Patterson's lawyers are now arguing the hotel mix-up amounted to a "fundamental irregularity" which "fatally undermined" the integrity of the verdicts.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

The notion of the earth whirling and hurtling through the cosmos was, in the end, fatally counterintuitive to the ancient mind.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro

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