doom
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for doom, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A terrible fate that seems certain and impossible to avoid, especially death or destruction.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use doom
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English dom, meaning "judgment" — the same root survives in the legal sense of "deem" and originally referred to a court's ruling before it narrowed to mean a grim fate.
Full origin of doom →Frequently asked questions
What does “doom” mean?
The word “doom” means a terrible fate that seems certain and impossible to avoid, especially death or destruction. In plain terms, a terrible, unavoidable outcome, or to seal something into that fate.
How do you pronounce “doom”?
“Doom” is pronounced doom (/duːm/ in IPA).
How do you use “doom” in a sentence?
Here is “doom” used in a sentence: “The old sailors spoke of the ship's doom in hushed voices.”
What part of speech is “doom”?
Depending on how it is used, “doom” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “doom” come from?
The word “doom” comes from Old English. From Old English dom, meaning "judgment" — the same root survives in the legal sense of "deem" and originally referred to a court's ruling before it narrowed to mean a grim fate.
Is “doom” a common word?
“Doom” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “doom” have?
“Doom” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a terrible fate that seems certain and impossible to avoid, especially death or destruction.
What is the difference between "doom" and "fate"?
"Fate" is a neutral term for whatever is destined to happen, which could be good or bad. "Doom" specifically refers to a terrible fate that seems certain and impossible to avoid, especially death or destruction, so it always carries a negative meaning.
What is the difference between "doom" and "destiny"?
"Destiny" often implies a meaningful or even positive path someone is meant to follow, while "doom" specifically describes a terrible, seemingly unavoidable fate, especially death or destruction.
Can "doom" be used as a verb as well as a noun?
Yes. As a noun, "doom" refers to a terrible, seemingly unavoidable fate. As a verb, it means to condemn someone or something to that kind of certain, usually terrible, fate, as in "the decision doomed the project."