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Fate vs. Destiny: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Fate" refers to a predetermined course of events often beyond human control, whereas "Destiny" is about a predetermined future that one is meant to fulfill or achieve.
Fate vs. Destiny

Key Differences

"Fate" often implies a fixed, inevitable outcome, typically beyond personal control or human intervention. "Destiny," however, suggests a predetermined path or purpose that one is meant to fulfill, often with an implication of greatness or achievement.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
The concept of "fate" is usually associated with a sense of resignation or acceptance, as it is seen as unchangeable and predetermined. In contrast, "destiny" often carries a more active, aspirational tone, implying that one has a role in fulfilling their predetermined future.
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Shumaila Saeed
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In literature and mythology, "fate" is often depicted as a force that unalterably decides the end of stories and characters, with a somewhat fatalistic tone. "Destiny," conversely, is frequently portrayed as a journey towards a significant and often heroic purpose.
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"Fate" can have a negative connotation, suggesting unavoidable misfortune or doom. On the other hand, "destiny" is generally viewed more positively, often associated with fulfilling one's potential or achieving something significant.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
In everyday language, "fate" is often used to describe situations or outcomes that appear to be predetermined and unavoidable, whereas "destiny" is used more in the context of achieving long-term goals or realizing one's aspirations.
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Comparison Chart

Implication

Fixed, inevitable outcome
Predetermined path or purpose
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Control

Beyond personal control
Suggests a role in fulfillment
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Tone

Often fatalistic or negative
Aspirational, positive
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Usage in Literature

Decides end of stories
Journey towards significant purpose
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Everyday Connotation

Unavoidable, often misfortune
Fulfilling potential, achieving goals
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Fate and Destiny Definitions

Fate

A course that cannot be changed.
They met by fate, not by choice.
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Nov 15, 2023

Destiny

A path with a significant purpose.
He followed his destiny to greatness.
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Nov 15, 2023

Fate

A predestined doom or fortune.
Fate had a different plan for him.
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Destiny

A future meant to be fulfilled.
She believed it was her destiny to help others.
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Fate

An unavoidable future.
Fate brought them together again.
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Destiny

Realizing one’s potential.
Destiny led her to become a leader.
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Fate

The supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events
Fate did not favor his career.
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Oct 19, 2023

Destiny

A journey towards a long-term goal.
His destiny was to explore new worlds.
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Fate

The inevitable events predestined by this force
It was her fate to marry a lout.
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Oct 19, 2023

Destiny

The inevitable or necessary fate to which a particular person or thing is destined; one's lot.
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Oct 19, 2023

Fate

A final result or consequence; an outcome
What was the fate of your project?.
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Oct 19, 2023

Destiny

A predetermined course of events considered as something beyond human power or control
"Marriage and hanging go by destiny" (Robert Burton).
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Oct 19, 2023

Fate

An unfavorable outcome in life; doom or death
Suffered a fate worse than death.
The island where the explorer met his fate.
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Oct 19, 2023

Destiny

The power or agency thought to predetermine events
Destiny brought them together.
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Fate

Fates Greek & Roman Mythology The three goddesses, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, who control human destiny. Used with the.
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Destiny

That to which any person or thing is destined; a predetermined state; a condition predestined by the Divine or by human will.
Death is the destiny of all mortal men.
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Oct 19, 2023

Fate

The presumed cause, force, principle, or divine will that predetermines events.
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Oct 19, 2023

Destiny

That which is inevitable in the fullness of time.
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Oct 19, 2023

Fate

The effect, consequence, outcome, or inevitable events predetermined by this cause.
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Oct 19, 2023

Destiny

One's eventual fate (not necessarily inevitable or predestined).
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Oct 19, 2023

Fate

An event or a situation which is inevitable in the fullness of time.
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Oct 19, 2023

Destiny

The fixed order of things; invincible necessity; an irresistible power or agency conceived of as determining the future, whether in general or of an individual.
Dara doesn't believe in using dating apps - she insists that destiny will find her other half.
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Oct 19, 2023

Fate

Destiny; often with a connotation of death, ruin, misfortune, etc.
Accept your fate.
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Oct 19, 2023

Destiny

That to which any person or thing is destined; predetermined state; condition foreordained by the Divine or by human will; fate; lot; doom.
Thither heWill come to know his destiny.
No man of woman born,Coward or brave, can shun his destiny.
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Oct 19, 2023

Fate

(mythology) Fate (one of the goddesses said to control the destiny of human beings).
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Oct 19, 2023

Destiny

The fixed order of things; invincible necessity; fate; a resistless power or agency conceived of as determining the future, whether in general or of an individual.
But who can turn the stream of destiny?
Fame comes only when deserved, and then is as inevitable as destiny, for it is destiny.
Marked by the Destinies to be avoided.
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Oct 19, 2023

Fate

(biochemistry) The products of a chemical reaction in their final form in the biosphere.
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Oct 19, 2023

Destiny

An event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
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Fate

(embryology) The mature endpoint of a region, group of cells or individual cell in an embryo, including all changes leading to that mature endpoint
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Oct 19, 2023

Destiny

The ultimate agency that predetermines the course of events (often personified as a woman);
We are helpless in the face of Destiny
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Fate

(transitive) To foreordain or predetermine, to make inevitable.
The oracle's prediction fated Oedipus to kill his father; not all his striving could change what would occur.
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Oct 19, 2023

Destiny

Your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you);
Whatever my fortune may be
Deserved a better fate
Has a happy lot
The luck of the Irish
A victim of circumstances
Success that was her portion
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Oct 19, 2023

Fate

A fixed decree by which the order of things is prescribed; the immutable law of the universe; inevitable necessity; the force by which all existence is determined and conditioned.
Necessity and chanceApproach not me; and what I will is fate.
Beyond and above the Olympian gods lay the silent, brooding, everlasting fate of which victim and tyrant were alike the instruments.
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Destiny

Realization of aspirations.
Her destiny was to change the world.
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Fate

Appointed lot; allotted life; arranged or predetermined event; destiny; especially, the final lot; doom; ruin; death.
The great, th'important day, big with the fateOf Cato and of Rome.
Our wills and fates do so contrary runThat our devices still are overthrown.
The whizzing arrow sings,And bears thy fate, Antinous, on its wings.
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Oct 19, 2023

Fate

The element of chance in the affairs of life; the unforeseen and unestimated conitions considered as a force shaping events; fortune; esp., opposing circumstances against which it is useless to struggle; as, fate was, or the fates were, against him.
A brave man struggling in the storms of fate.
Sometimes an hour of Fate's serenest weather strikes through our changeful sky its coming beams.
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Oct 19, 2023

Fate

The three goddesses, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, sometimes called the Destinies, or Parcæwho were supposed to determine the course of human life. They are represented, one as holding the distaff, a second as spinning, and the third as cutting off the thread.
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Oct 19, 2023

Fate

An event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
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Oct 19, 2023

Fate

The ultimate agency that predetermines the course of events (often personified as a woman);
We are helpless in the face of Destiny
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Fate

Your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you);
Whatever my fortune may be
Deserved a better fate
Has a happy lot
The luck of the Irish
A victim of circumstances
Success that was her portion
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Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023

Fate

Decree or designate beforehand;
She was destined to become a great pianist
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Fate

Inevitable end or result.
It was his fate to live a short life.
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Nov 15, 2023

Fate

A power beyond human influence.
Fate decided their final outcome.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries

Can "destiny" be changed?

"Destiny" suggests a path one is meant to follow, which can sometimes be influenced by personal choices.
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Does "fate" imply lack of control?

Yes, fate typically suggests events beyond human control.
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Can "fate" be a positive force?

It can be, but it's often viewed as neutral or negative.
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Nov 15, 2023

Is "destiny" associated with personal goals?

Yes, it often relates to fulfilling personal aspirations or potential.
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Nov 15, 2023

Can "destiny" be self-determined?

"Destiny" implies predetermination but also allows for personal effort in its realization.
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Nov 15, 2023

Does "fate" have a role in mythology?

Yes, it's a common theme in various mythologies.
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Nov 15, 2023

Is "fate" always negative?

Not always, but it often has a fatalistic connotation.
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Nov 15, 2023

Does "destiny" imply a greater purpose?

Yes, it often connotes a significant or special purpose.
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Nov 15, 2023

Can "fate" be related to misfortune?

Yes, it's often linked with unavoidable misfortune.
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Nov 15, 2023

Can "destiny" be associated with heroism?

Yes, destiny is frequently linked with heroic journeys.
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Nov 15, 2023

Does "destiny" imply a long-term journey?

Yes, it often suggests a long-term path or journey.
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Nov 15, 2023

Can "fate" be escaped or altered?

Traditionally, fate is viewed as unalterable.
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Nov 15, 2023

Is "fate" predetermined?

Yes, fate is generally seen as a predetermined course.
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Is "fate" bound by time?

Fate is typically seen as timeless or inevitable in any time.
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Is "destiny" a common theme in literature?

Yes, destiny is often explored in literary works.
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Nov 15, 2023

Is "destiny" related to individual aspirations?

Yes, it's often about realizing personal goals or purposes.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023

Does "destiny" always lead to success?

Not necessarily, but it implies a significant journey or outcome.
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Nov 15, 2023

Is "fate" used to explain the inexplicable?

Yes, it's often used to rationalize unexplainable events.
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Nov 15, 2023

Does "fate" play a role in human relationships?

Yes, it's sometimes used to explain the nature of relationships.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023

Can "destiny" be a matter of choice?

While destiny is predetermined, personal choices can influence its course.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023

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Shumaila Saeed
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Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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