Definition of mortalnext
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mortal

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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
Police then found his landlord’s body elsewhere in the house with mortal wounds. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026 Miami’s fireworks offense looked mortal in five straight 3-and-outs in the second half. — Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
Unlike other Olympians, who were often violent and wrathful, the Graces showed kindness and care to their fellow gods and mortals alike—bestowers of grace in every context. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 Atlanta — Professional athletes are often held up as something above and beyond the mere mortals who pay hefty ticket prices to be in the stands. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mortal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mortal
Adjective
  • As the most lethal and airborne variant of the infection, pneumonic plague is nearly always fatal unless specific antibiotics are given quickly.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Graham had four pressures as a blitzer and has looked absolutely lethal in that role.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Responsible for the devastating Black Death pandemic of 1346 to 1353, this deadly bacterium claimed between 25 and 50 million lives in Europe alone.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • What knocks him for a deadly loop is a powdered, pampered piece of work called Mildred (Elizabeth Teeter).
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The dizzying evolution of AI picks up speed when Ilya gets Sam worked up about next-level AGI, or Artificial General Intelligence, theoretical technology with human-level cognitive capabilities.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • This could allow human personnel to concentrate on duties requiring judgment, empathy and discretion while reducing their exposure to hazardous situations.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Still, her willingness to enjoy a hostile road crowd offers a useful perspective in a league where interactions with spectators have become such a consuming subject.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said the approval didn’t include hostile actions that go against international law.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Being able to have the in-person connectivity with talking to your coworkers, being able to collaborate, is great and then also the larger programming of the company as a whole.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • One person was killed in a strike on Riyadh airport, a Saudia Airlines plane was reportedly in flames, and hundreds of flights have been canceled.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Independent media outlets like Baikal People reported that the fatal chain of events began on September 25.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Chicago Alderman Michelle Harris said at Sunday's community vigil that the suspect had allegedly gotten into an altercation with staff at a wireless store in the Chatham neighborhood just before the fatal stabbing, WLS reported.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • To assist Noah, Sinestro has also forged a new lantern from the water on this dead alien planet — imbued with Zoe’s fear toxins — causing golden cracks in the object’s surface.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Urker, who also fathered a baby girl, Aurora, with Blanchard, was found dead Thursday in Raceland, Louisiana.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Multifamily apartment REITs are still in negative territory, as the sector continues to work through a period of oversupply and weaker rents.
    — Diana Olick, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Ultimately, the result is a negative impact on a learning experience that students will be paying for into their 60s.
    — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mortal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mortal. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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