fatalism

[feyt-l-iz-uh m] /ˈfeɪt lˌɪz əm/

noun

the acceptance of all things and events as inevitable; submission to fate:

Her fatalism helped her to face death with stoic calm.

Philosophy. the doctrine that all events are subject to fate or inevitable predetermination.

Origin

1670-80; fatal + -ism

Related forms

fatalist, noun

fatalistic, adjective

fatalistically, adverb

nonfatalistic, adjective

quasi-fatalistic, adjective

quasi-fatalistically, adverb

unfatalistic, adjective

unfatalistically, adverb

Can be confused

Examples from the web for fatalism

Our current economic discourse is pervaded by fatalism.
fatalism only ensures that that tide does not turn sooner.
Italians of all ages feel a weary fatalism after a decade of almost no economic growth.
And from vulnerability there has emerged a tough fatalism.
It went to air with this sense of fatalism on the part of the network.
Proliferation fatalism and deterrence optimism reinforce each other in a disturbing way.
Reactions to these alarming reports have varied from fatalism to urgent concern.
They mourn the victims of rogue crocodile attacks with grim fatalism.
The sheer sensory exuberance of the film at once subverts the fatalism of its story and lends it whatever credibility it has.
Charities are striving to turn around such fatalism.

British Dictionary definitions for fatalism

/ˈfeɪtəˌlɪzəm/

noun

the philosophical doctrine that all events are predetermined so that man is powerless to alter his destiny

the acceptance of and submission to this doctrine

a lack of effort or action in the face of difficulty

Derived Forms

fatalist, noun
fatalistic, adjective
fatalistically, adverb

Word Origin and History for fatalism

1670s, from fatal + -ism.

fatalism in Culture

The belief that events are determined by an impersonal fate and cannot be changed by human beings. Fatalism is a form of determinism.