destiny

noun

des·​ti·​ny ˈde-stə-nē How to pronounce destiny (audio)
plural destinies
Synonyms of destiny
1
: something to which a person or thing is destined : fortune
want to control my own destiny
2
: a predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency
felt that destiny would determine their future

Synonyms of destiny

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fate, destiny, lot, portion, doom mean a predetermined state or end.

fate implies an inevitable and usually an adverse outcome.

the fate of the submarine is unknown

destiny implies something foreordained and often suggests a great or noble course or end.

the country's destiny to be a model of liberty to the world

lot and portion imply a distribution by fate or destiny, lot suggesting blind chance,

it was her lot to die childless

portion implying the apportioning of good and evil.

remorse was his daily portion

doom distinctly implies a grim or calamitous fate.

if the rebellion fails, his doom is certain

Examples of destiny in a Sentence

They believed it was their destiny to be together. motivated by a sense of destiny
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There’s a certain amount of destiny that this was found and not destroyed. — David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 He’s confronted by his mysterious past and is hurled into a dangerous adventure across the galaxy that puts him on a crash course with destiny. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026 Historical legacy is not destiny, and Russia’s excesses cannot be blamed solely on its ties to the political culture of the steppes. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Here, the wealthy and asthmatic young politician, bolstered by time spent outside among manly men, grew strong enough to meet his destiny. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for destiny

Word History

Etymology

Middle English destinee, from Anglo-French, from feminine of destiné, past participle of destiner — see destine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of destiny was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing destiny

Browse Nearby Words

destinezite
destiny
destitute
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Destiny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destiny. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

destiny

noun
des·​ti·​ny ˈdes-tə-nē How to pronounce destiny (audio)
plural destinies
1
: something to which a person or thing is destined : fortune
2
: the course of events held to be arranged by a superhuman power
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