FORTUITOUS Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'fortuitous' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fortuitous are accidental , casual , and contingent . While all these words mean "not amenable to planning or prediction," fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause. // a series of fortuitous events

Q: When is it sensible to use 'accidental' instead of 'fortuitous'?

The meanings of accidental and fortuitous largely overlap; however, accidental stresses chance. // any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

Q: When might 'casual' be a better fit than 'fortuitous'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fortuitous , casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent. // a casual encounter with a stranger

Q: When could 'contingent' be used to replace 'fortuitous'?

Although the words contingent and fortuitous have much in common, contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence. // the contingent effects of the proposed law

fortuitous

adjective

fȯr-ˈtü-ə-təs

Definition of fortuitous

as in lucky

coming or happening by good luck especially unexpectedly your arrival just before the thunderstorm was fortuitous

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in accidental

happening by chance firmly believes that the creation of the universe was something other than just the fortuitous coming together of particles of matter

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective fortuitous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fortuitous are accidental, casual, and contingent. While all these words mean "not amenable to planning or prediction," fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause.

a series of fortuitous events

When is it sensible to use accidental instead of fortuitous?

The meanings of accidental and fortuitous largely overlap; however, accidental stresses chance.

any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

When might casual be a better fit than fortuitous?

While in some cases nearly identical to fortuitous, casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent.

a casual encounter with a stranger

When could contingent be used to replace fortuitous?

Although the words contingent and fortuitous have much in common, contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence.

the contingent effects of the proposed law

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 fortuitous There was a fortuitous incident in high school that substantially upgraded Becerra’s higher education and undoubtedly his career. — George Skelton, Mercury News, 10 June 2026 The decision ended up being quite fortuitous, causing a stir online and enmeshing Sun Day Red’s influence even deeper in athletic circles. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 June 2026 This fortuitous discovery quickly turned into an organized long-term experiment. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026 That initial introduction to the restaurant world proved fortuitous. — Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fortuitous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fortuitous

Adjective

Those lucky enough to score an example will also get access to a matching Porsche Design chronograph.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2026
While the long-legged aisle-hoggers among us might not relate, travelers lucky enough to settle into the window seat on certain flight routes can look forward to quite the show ahead of touchdown.

— Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of lucky

Adjective

Some lawsuits have been filed by families of children and young adults who died by suicide after problematic use of social media, and families whose kids died from accidental overdoses from drug purchases facilitated by social platforms.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Now the accidental entrepreneur, Elizabeth Stein, is making the biggest sale of her life.

— Chloe Sorvino, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of accidental

Adjective

Check the offer page to see which hotels are offering the discount—you’ll be happy to see fan favorites like Disney’s Grand Floridian and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge on the list!

— Hannah Chubb, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Once the shelter tracked down Rio’s owner, Melissa, to share the happy news that her dog was safe, the pet parent immediately booked a flight to Greensboro and reunited with Rio.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of happy

Adjective

Death penalty observers say that double or triple executions are purely coincidental timing.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Ultimately, GLP-1s are turning out to be metabolic and inflammatory drugs that happen to cause weight loss, rather than weight loss drugs with a long list of coincidental improvements.

— Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of coincidental

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“Fortuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fortuitous. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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