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Fatalities: meaning, definitions and examples

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fatalities

 

[fəˈtælətiz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

in news reports

Fatalities refer to the number of deaths resulting from a particular event, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or terrorist attack. It is a grim statistic that is often reported in the media to convey the severity of the situation.

Synonyms

casualties, deaths, mortality.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fatalities

Used in formal contexts, especially in emergency situations, news reports, or legal documents, to specify the number of deaths resulting from accidents, disasters, or conflicts.

  • The hurricane caused 50 fatalities
  • There were multiple fatalities in the car crash
deaths

Commonly used in everyday language to simply denote the occurrence of people dying, without formal or specific connotations. Can be used in contexts ranging from news reports to casual conversations.

  • The hospital reported an increase in deaths last month
  • There were several deaths in the community due to the flu outbreak
casualties

Refers to people who are killed, injured, or otherwise harmed in accidents, disasters, or wars. More general than 'fatalities' and includes non-fatal injuries.

  • The war resulted in thousands of casualties
  • Emergency responders quickly attended to the casualties at the scene of the explosion
mortality

Often used in medical, scientific, or statistical contexts to refer to the incidence of death in a population. Can also carry philosophical or reflective connotations regarding the existence of death.

  • The mortality rate of the disease is alarmingly high
  • Discussions on human mortality often arise in literature and philosophy

Examples of usage

  • The train derailment resulted in multiple fatalities.
  • The hurricane caused widespread devastation and numerous fatalities.
  • The terrorist bombing led to a high number of fatalities among civilians.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'fatality' comes from the Latin 'fatalis,' which means 'decreed by fate' or 'deadly.'
  • In the English language, it first appeared in documents around the late 19th century to describe serious incidents.

Statistics

  • Globally, road traffic accidents account for a significant percentage of fatalities, with millions reported annually.
  • Natural disasters, like earthquakes and floods, also contribute heavily to fatalities, especially in vulnerable regions.

Public Health

  • Fatalities can be indicators of public health issues, such as disease outbreaks or inadequate healthcare systems.
  • Studies show that improved public health policies significantly reduce preventable fatalities over time.

Cultural Impact

  • Movies and literature often explore themes of fatalities to evoke emotions and highlight the fragility of life.
  • Many cultures have rituals or practices for mourning fatalities, reflecting their beliefs about life and death.

Safety Improvements

  • Advancements in technology have led to better safety measures in various industries, helping to reduce fatalities.
  • Campaigns to promote safety in workplaces, roads, and homes have contributed to lowering fatality rates in many communities.

Translations

Translations of the word "fatalities" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fatalidades

🇮🇳 मृत्यु

🇩🇪 Todesfälle

🇮🇩 kematian

🇺🇦 загиблі

🇵🇱 ofiary śmiertelne

🇯🇵 死亡者数

🇫🇷 décès

🇪🇸 fatalidades

🇹🇷 ölümler

🇰🇷 사망자

🇸🇦 وفيات

🇨🇿 úmrtí

🇸🇰 úmrtia

🇨🇳 死亡人数

🇸🇮 smrtne žrtve

🇮🇸 dauðsföll

🇰🇿 өлімдер

🇬🇪 სიკვდილიანობა

🇦🇿 ölümlər

🇲🇽 fatalidades

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,354, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.