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Doomed: meaning, definitions and examples

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doomed

 

[duːmd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling of impending misfortune

doomed means marked for certain death or destruction. It can also refer to being destined to a bad outcome or failure. The word carries a sense of hopelessness and inevitability.

Synonyms

cursed, fated, ill-fated, unfortunate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
doomed

Use this word when referring to a situation or person destined to fail or meet a terrible end, often with a sense of inevitability.

  • Despite their best efforts, the mission was doomed from the start.
  • The storm made their chances of survival seem doomed.
fated

Ideal for talking about something that seems predetermined by destiny, often in a somewhat neutral or positive way, unlike 'doomed' or 'cursed'.

  • They were fated to meet and fall in love.
  • It seemed fated that he would become a great artist.
cursed

This term is best used when describing someone or something that has been afflicted with bad luck or misfortune, often due to a supernatural or external force. It has a more negative and dramatic connotation.

  • The villagers believed the old house was cursed.
  • He felt cursed after losing everything in the disaster.
ill-fated

This term is suitable for describing ventures or efforts that turned out poorly or were destined to end in failure, often used with a degree of sympathy or sadness.

  • The ill-fated expedition ended in tragedy.
  • Their ill-fated attempt to save the company only made matters worse.
unfortunate

Use this word to describe situations or events marked by bad luck or misfortune, but typically with a less severe or dramatic tone compared to other words.

  • It was an unfortunate accident, but no one was seriously hurt.
  • She had an unfortunate series of events that year, but remained optimistic.

Examples of usage

  • He knew he was doomed the moment he entered the haunted house.
  • The ship was doomed to sink after hitting the iceberg.
  • The team's chances of winning were doomed from the start.
Context #2 | Verb

condemning to a terrible fate

doomed as a verb means to condemn someone or something to a terrible fate. It implies a sense of finality and inescapability.

Synonyms

condemn, curse, doom, fate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
doomed

Use this word when talking about someone or something that is destined to fail or face a terrible outcome, usually unavoidable.

  • The project was doomed from the start due to poor planning.
  • The sailors felt they were doomed as the storm grew stronger.
condemn

This word is best used when you want to openly criticize, disapprove, or assign blame to someone or something, usually in a moral or legal sense.

  • The mayor condemned the acts of violence in the city.
  • She was condemned for her unethical behavior in the company.
curse

Use this word when referring to invoking supernatural power to inflict harm, or to express severe annoyance or anger. It often carries a negative connotation.

  • The witch cast a curse on the entire village.
  • He cursed under his breath when he stubbed his toe.
fate

This word is best used when talking about a predetermined course of events, often with a neutral or positive context in mind, though it can sometimes be negative.

  • It was fate that brought them together on that day.
  • He believed in fate and thought everything happened for a reason.
doom

This term is used when talking about an unavoidable negative fate or catastrophic end, carrying a sense of destiny and finality.

  • The invasion led to the doom of the ancient civilization.
  • They met their doom when the avalanche struck.

Examples of usage

  • The villain doomed the hero to a life of suffering.
  • The decision to cut down the ancient tree doomed the forest ecosystem.
  • The cursed amulet doomed all who possessed it.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'dōm,' meaning judgment or fate.
  • Originally, it was related to laws or decrees, which gave it a sense of being destined to a particular end.
  • Over time, its meaning shifted to imply a negative outcome or inevitability.

Literature

  • Many tragic stories in literature involve characters who are fated to be doomed, echoing themes of destiny and free will.
  • Shakespeare’s 'Macbeth' showcases the idea of doomed ambition leading to catastrophic consequences.
  • In Greek tragedies, characters often face doom due to their flaws, highlighting the inevitable nature of fate.

Pop Culture

  • The phrase 'doomed from the start' appears frequently in songs and films, indicating that the outcome was evident from the beginning.
  • Movies like 'Titanic' and 'Romeo + Juliet' emphasize the theme of doomed love and fate.
  • In gaming, many titles explore the concept of being doomed—players often face insurmountable odds or end up in unwinnable situations.

Psychology

  • The feeling of being doomed can lead to anxiety and hopelessness, often resulting from a sense of lack of control over one's future.
  • Cognitive biases, like catastrophizing, can enhance feelings of doom by focusing on worst-case scenarios.
  • The 'doomsday mentality' can affect groups, where collective fears lead to irrational decisions and actions.

History

  • Throughout history, many societies have perceived certain events or leaders as doomed based on omens or prophecies.
  • The fall of empires is often described as a doomed process, emphasizing the inevitable decline after reaching a peak.
  • Key historical events like the sinking of the Lusitania or the Hindenburg disaster are often seen as doomed from the beginning due to circumstances beyond control.

Translations

Translations of the word "doomed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 condenado

🇮🇳 अभिशप्त

🇩🇪 verdammt

🇮🇩 terkutuk

🇺🇦 приречений

🇵🇱 skazany

🇯🇵 運命づけられた

🇫🇷 condamné

🇪🇸 condenado

🇹🇷 mahkum

🇰🇷 저주받은

🇸🇦 محكوم

🇨🇿 odsouzený

🇸🇰 odsúdený

🇨🇳 注定失败

🇸🇮 obsojen

🇮🇸 dæmdur

🇰🇿 сотталған

🇬🇪 განწირული

🇦🇿 məhkum

🇲🇽 condenado

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,296 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.