fatalistic
fay-tuh-LISS-tik
/ˌfeɪ.təˈlɪs.tɪk/
Submitting to the belief that all events are predetermined and inevitable, rendering human effort useless.
Implies passive acceptance of inescapable destiny, regardless of whether that destiny is good or bad.
The story behind the word. From the Latin fatum, meaning a divine utterance or sentence decreed by gods, came fate. In the nineteenth century, philosopher-critics coined fatalistic to describe a mindset that views all future outcomes as immutable scripts already written before birth.
Word relationships
- determinist: Determinist emphasizes physical or causal predetermination, while fatalistic emphasizes inescapable fate.
- resigned: Resigned describes emotional acceptance of bad news, while fatalistic is a broader belief about fate.
- proactive: Proactive describes taking active initiative to shape outcomes.
- empowered: Empowered reflects confidence in one's agency and control.
Commonly confused with
- fatal: Fatal means causing death or ruin, whereas fatalistic relates to belief in fate.
Word family
- fatalism (noun): The belief that events are predetermined.
- fatalist (noun): A person who believes in fatalism.
- fatalistically (adverb): In a manner accepting fate.
Collocations
- fatalistic view
- fatalistic attitude
- fatalistic philosophy
- fatalistic approach
Idioms & expressions
- what will be, will be
- written in the stars
Example sentences
- "Her fatalistic outlook made her believe that preparing for the disaster was pointless." Philosophical discussion
- "Soldiers in the trenches often developed a fatalistic attitude toward the daily bombardments." Historical analysis
Memory hook
FATE is already fixed, so fatalistic people stop fighting. Surrendering to fate's pre-written script.
When not to use
Do not use to describe simple laziness; it refers to a philosophy regarding fate and destiny.
Fun facts
- In ancient Roman myth, the Parcae (Fates) spun, measured, and cut the thread of every human life, rendering resistance completely futile.
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