fatalism

American  

[feyt-l-iz-uhm] / ˈfeɪt lˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the acceptance of all things and events as inevitable; submission to fate.

   Her fatalism helped her to face death with stoic calm.

2. Philosophy. the doctrine that all events are subject to fate or inevitable predetermination.

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fatalism British  

/ ˈfeɪtəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the philosophical doctrine that all events are predetermined so that man is powerless to alter his destiny

2. the acceptance of and submission to this doctrine

3. a lack of effort or action in the face of difficulty

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Other Word Forms

• fatalist
  noun
• fatalistic
  adjective
• fatalistically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of fatalism

First recorded in 1670–80; fatal + -ism

Compare meaning

How does fatalism compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• fatalism vs. determinism

Explanation

People who exhibit fatalism appear powerless to shape their own future: they believe only in fate. I sense the fatalism in you, but you CAN change things! You can see and hear the word "fate" in the word fatalism. It means "destiny" — the notion that all things are meant to be and that there is nothing you can do to change them. Someone "fatalistic" — who displays fatalism — sees life as a series of inevitable, predetermined events. Often, this term is used negatively to describe someone who refuses to try to shape their own lives or who gives up too easily. Fatalism may in fact be a logical response to life, but that's no reason not to try to change things!

Example Sentences

Fatalism is also wrong morally because it helps perpetuate war.

From Scientific American • Apr. 27, 2022

Fatalism and perseverance have been reliable themes for this New Jersey native, whose bright ideas about hybridizing rap and pop once provided some necessary sparkle to Kanye West’s dimmest album, 2018’s “Ye.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 3, 2022

Fatalism, he added, is for “the ones who tend to stay home.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2021

Fatalism is the voice of the whiplash moment we are living through.

From New York Times • Oct. 6, 2017

The doctrine of Necessity is, in all essential particulars, identical with Fatalism in its worst form.

From Doctrine of the Will by Mahan, Asa