Synonym Chooser

How is the word providential different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of providential are fortunate, happy, and lucky. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

When is fortunate a more appropriate choice than providential?

While the synonyms fortunate and providential are close in meaning, fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

How is happy related to other words for providential?

Happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed.

a series of happy accidents

In what contexts can lucky take the place of providential?

The meanings of lucky and providential largely overlap; however, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

Examples Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of providential Many a past biographer has observed that Lincoln understood himself as an actor in a providential drama. John Fabian Witt, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2022 Meacham bids to be the redeemer in chief of the narrative of American exceptionalism: the venerable if now-shopworn story in which the United States has a providential and world-historic role as a nation distinctively dedicated to human liberty. John Fabian Witt, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2022 Church tradition affirms the providential nature of international commerce. Dylan Pahman, WSJ, 20 Oct. 2022 Her support in polls steadily expanded from 4 percent in 2018 to 25 percent in a country where even moderate voters have grown numb to fascist-communist name-calling but remain enthusiastic about new and potentially providential leaders. Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2022 See all Example Sentences for providential 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for providential
Adjective
  • Parkin said the company was fortunate to find a facility in Shelbyville that already fit the size and capabilities needed with only some retooling and minimal construction needed to outfit the building for battery production.
    Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 15 Nov. 2024
  • For us and for other animals, however, there’s a second fortunate result: Oxygen.
    Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Anything as long as Sad Obsessive Shut-In Number One is happy!
    Lindy Segal, Allure, 21 Nov. 2024
  • This was a stroke of marketing genius, and plenty of producers were happy to oblige.
    Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Our floor-through apartment on Bond Street is my luckiest business decision and my only retirement fund.
    Suzanne Seggerman, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024
  • The Moon is in your sign dancing beautifully with lucky Jupiter, which is good for business.
    Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • For the band, the call from Jay-Z’s management not only came at a fortuitous time — nearly a year into the Meteora campaign, around the same moment during the Hybrid Theory album cycle that Mike began to plot Reanimation — but also came from the right artist.
    Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024
  • The announcement comes at a fortuitous time, given a recent glowing report from Spanish trade and investment body ICEX and entertainment analytics org, Parrot Analytics.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 22 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The timing for her relocation from the U.S. to the Netherlands – also her first time living overseas – was coincidental.
    Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Any resemblance between himself and a real-life POTUS are, of course, coincidental.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near providential

Cite this Entry

“Providential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/providential. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on providential

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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