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Synonyms

fatally

American  
[feyt-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; 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.

He drags Arthur into a war against Lancelot that fatally weakens the kingdom and allows Mordred to usurp the throne.

From The Wall Street Journal

Based on the manga by Mokumokuren, the fantasy horror series probes what happens when a rural teen named Hikaru is fatally injured . . . but then returns when an otherworldly being possesses his corpse and memories.

From Salon

When - four months later - resident Dawn Sturgess, 44, fatally sprayed herself with a small perfume bottle, she could have had no idea it contained the deadly substance.

From BBC

Two components of the ants' natural scent profile become stronger when a pupa is fatally infected.

From Science Daily

A 14-year-old boy who was fatally stuck by a train had "so much love to give", his family have said in tribute.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.