Fatal
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3
Irrevocable Outcome
Use 'fatal' to stress that death can't be avoided after an event like an injury or disease. The venom of this snake is so potent, a single bite is often fatal.
Pro Tip 2/3
Serious Tone
'Fatal' carries a weight of severity; use it in contexts that reflect a somber or serious tone. There was a fatal collision on the highway last night.
Pro Tip 3/3
Not Always Instant
'Fatal' doesn't always mean death is immediate, just that it's inevitable as a result of the event. She was diagnosed with a fatal illness that could take years to reach its inevitable end.