fatalism
FAY-tuh-liz-um
/ˈfeɪ.tə.lɪ.zəm/
The belief that all events are predetermined by fate and that human action cannot alter the final outcome.
Stresses psychological resignation and the helplessness of human effort against unavoidable destiny.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'fatum' (prophetic declaration of divine will). Fatalism entered English in the late 17th century to describe passive submission to decreed fate.
Word relationships
- resignation: Resignation is an emotional acceptance of defeat, while fatalism is a philosophical stance that outcomes are inevitable.
- activism: Activism represents active effort to alter outcomes and shape the future.
Commonly confused with
- determinism: Determinism asserts that preceding causes dictate future events, whereas fatalism holds that the outcome happens regardless of causes.
Word family
- fatalist (noun): A person who accepts fatalism.
- fatalistic (adjective): Relating to or characterized by fatalism.
Collocations
- quiet fatalism
- sense of fatalism
- succumb to fatalism
Example sentences
- "Yielding to fatalism during a crisis often prevents people from taking effective self-protective measures." Ethics essay
Memory hook
FATE + IS M = believing Fate rules everything. Inevitable outcome, zero control.
When not to use
Do not equate with determinism; determinism operates via cause and effect, while fatalism ignores cause.
Fun facts
- The ancient 'Idle Argument' claimed that if fatalism is true, visiting a doctor when sick is pointless because your recovery or death is fixed regardless.
Related words
Explore more words
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.