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An abortive attempt or action is cut short before it is finished; hence, it is unsuccessful.
Something that happens unexpectedly and by chance that is not inherent or natural to a given item or situation is adventitious, such as a root appearing in an unusual place on a plant.
Something that is apposite is relevant or suitable to what is happening or being discussed.
If you describe a decision, rule, or plan as arbitrary, you think that it was decided without any thought, standard, or system to guide it; therefore, it can seem unfair.
The adjective auspicious describes a positive beginning of something, such as a new business, or a certain time that looks to have a good chance of success or prosperity.
Bedlam is a situation with a great deal of noise and confusion.
Something beneficial is helpful, useful, or valuable in some way.
If you describe a tumor as benign, it will not cause death or serious harm.
A cataclysm is a violent, sudden event that causes great change and/or harm.
A condign reward or punishment is deserved by and appropriate or fitting for the person who receives it.
Consternation is the feeling of anxiety or fear, sometimes paralyzing in its effect, and often caused by something unexpected that has happened.
If something is contingent upon something else, the first thing depends on the second in order to happen or exist.
A debacle is something, such as an event or attempt, that fails completely in an embarrassing way.
Something that is deleterious has a harmful effect.
A deluge is a sudden, heavy downfall of rain; it can also be a large number of things, such as papers or e-mails, that someone gets all at the same time, making them very difficult to handle.
If something discomfits you, it makes you feel embarrassed, confused, uncomfortable, or frustrated.
If something disconcerts you, it makes you feel anxious, worried, or confused.
When someone feels disquiet about a situation, they feel very worried or nervous.
If you exult, you show great pleasure and excitement, especially about something you have achieved.
If you are experiencing felicity about something, you are very happy about it.
If an event becomes a fiasco, it is a complete and embarrassing failure.
An inadvertent action is not done intentionally; rather, it is an accident that happens because someone is not being attentive to their surroundings.
Something that is inevitable will certainly occur because it cannot be avoided.
A lamentable state of affairs is miserable and just plain awful.
Something or someone that is maleficent deliberately tries to cause harm or evil.
Malfeasance is an unlawful act, especially one committed by a trusted public official.
Someone who is morose is unhappy, bad-tempered, and unwilling to talk very much.
If something is noisome, it is extremely unpleasant, especially because it is very dirty or has an awful smell.
Pandemonium is a very noisy and uncontrolled situation, especially one that is caused by a lot of angry or excited people.
If you are pensive, you are deeply thoughtful, often in a sad and/or serious way.
Something that is pernicious is very harmful or evil, often in a way that is hidden or not quickly noticed.
If you are in a predicament, you are in a difficult situation or unpleasant mess that is hard to get out of.
Something that is propitious shows favorable conditions.
A providential event is a very lucky one because it happens at exactly the right time and often when it is needed most.
A rapturous feeling or reaction shows extreme pleasure, excitement, or happiness.
If you are sanguine about a situation, especially a difficult one, you are confident and cheerful that everything will work out the way you want it to.
Serendipity is the good fortune that some people encounter in finding or making interesting and valuable discoveries purely by luck.
To subvert something, such as a government, is to try to destroy or damage its power and influence; to subvert someone is to corrupt their morals, loyalty, or faith.
Severe problems, suffering, or difficulties experienced in a particular situation are all examples of tribulations.
Vicissitudes can be unexpected or simply normal changes and variations that happen during the course of people’s lives.
A windfall is the sudden appearance of a large amount of money that is completely unexpected.
Adj.
fortuitous
fawr-TOO-i-tuhs
Context
The chance, fortuitous encounter of the two songwriters led to a lifelong, musical partnership. They were both known for writing love songs, in which lucky, fortuitous events happened leading to happy circumstances. When the writers’ strike broke out in Hollywood, they were fortuitously or accidentally across the Atlantic working on a new musical, so the duo remained prosperous despite the strike.
Quiz:Try again!
How would you feel about a fortuitous event?
You would be pleased by such unexpected good luck.
You would be worried about the potential for disaster.
You would be devastated by such a horrible experience.
Fortunate Tuition House I was unable to pay my tuition one semester, but then a long lost aunt died who left me her house, a fortunate event for me since then I was able to pay my tuition by selling the house, quite the fortuitous chain of events.
Examples
Boomers are now the ones old enough to have accumulated the money—yet young enough to maintain the energy—to collect modern and contemporary art. The fortuitous combination of boomer collecting power and a new desire on the part of young artists to engage a wider audience has driven the market for contemporary art to unprecedented levels.
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Newsweek
A week earlier, Ohno was leading the 1,000 on the final turn when a crash took out all but one skater. Australia's Steven Bradbury skated across the line as the fortuitous winner, while Ohno staggered across in time to get the silver despite a gash in his left leg.
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Midland Reporter-Telegram
The scandal began when academic research revealed the suspiciously fortuitous timing of option grants, a disproportionate number of which occurred just before a rise in the share prices of executives' companies.
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The Economist
This competition [between Boeing and Airbus for large sales contracts] comes at a fortuitous time for the two global aircraft giants, which have been experiencing delays and setbacks in developing the latest generation of massive airliners.
—
The New York Times
A fortuitous event “possesses the nature of luck or chance” that brings about something good.
Word Theater
Tombstone She believes that it is fortuitous that the two of them have met.
The panel shows a small video clip of either the word in actual use or a scene that represents the meaning of a word. This not only breaks up the monotony of studying words but also provides another avenue to strengthen word meaning. Enjoy!
