fortunate

adjective

ˈfȯrch-nət How to pronounce fortunate (audio)
Definition of fortunatenext
1
as in lucky
coming or happening by good luck especially unexpectedly in a fortunate turn of events, the motel had one last vacancy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in happy
having good luck rabbits' feet are seen as making the carrier of them fortunate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fortunate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fortunate are happy, lucky, and providential. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

How does the word happy relate to other synonyms for fortunate?

Happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed.

a series of happy accidents

When is lucky a more appropriate choice than fortunate?

While the synonyms lucky and fortunate are close in meaning, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

Where would providential be a reasonable alternative to fortunate?

In some situations, the words providential and fortunate are roughly equivalent. However, providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

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 fortunate Sweden was fortunate to have lots of hydropower and an established base of nuclear reactors. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026 The truck rolled one and a half times and fell two hundred and thirty feet; the driver was fortunate to survive with minor injuries. — Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 Willis was also fortunate that safety Alhoi Gillman dropped a sure interception later in the third quarter. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026 Ravi is a Nepali name meaning Sun, Tashi is a Tibetan name meaning fortunate or lucky, and Pabu is a Tibetan name meaning fluffball, according to the zoo. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fortunate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortunate
  1. lucky
  2. happy
Adjective
  • Even among those lucky enough to have a job, a significant portion of the generation wants to ditch their current employers for greener pastures.
    — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
  • So that was something that Mike really strived to capture in this film, and lucky for us, the elements really helped in that way.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of lucky
Adjective
  • Macaronis are happy in warmer water and have a more varied diet, so are not as reliant on the diminishing krill.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
  • And the retroactive nature of the proposal raises potential constitutional questions that some rich folks would be only too happy to test in court.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of happy

Browse Nearby Words

fortuity
fortunate
fortunately
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Cite this Entry

“Fortunate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortunate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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