as in coincidental
happening because of good luck or chance
After not seeing each other for ten years, we had a serendipitous reunion on the street one day.
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Recent Examples of serendipitous
That was very unexpected and serendipitous.
—
Arushi Jacob, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
While not exactly scientific, the phrase has become shorthand online for the surprising and often serendipitous ways in which felines enter people’s lives.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
In perhaps a bit of serendipitous timing, Artemis 2 is also launching during the April full moon.
—Tariq Malik, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Anything that benefits America or its people is purely serendipitous.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serendipitous
Arushi Jacob, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
While not exactly scientific, the phrase has become shorthand online for the surprising and often serendipitous ways in which felines enter people’s lives.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
In perhaps a bit of serendipitous timing, Artemis 2 is also launching during the April full moon.
—Tariq Malik, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Anything that benefits America or its people is purely serendipitous.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serendipitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serendipitous
Adjective
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Short has also clarified that Streep’s casting as his character’s love interest was coincidental.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The choice to put his face on a $250 bill wasn’t coincidental, with the number commemorating the United States’s 250th birthday.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
An infant’s accidental exposure to an infected child can mean serious illness, brain swelling and sometimes death.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
An infant’s accidental exposure to an infected child can mean serious illness, brain swelling and sometimes death.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
To use words in ways that are unexpected or surprising, to repurpose some of the legalese that has been weaponized against my characters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Objects that once seemed temporary now reveal unexpected permanence.—
Sudhir Gupta,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Join MyRecipes—your personal home for recipes—to easily save and organize your favorites, plus thousands more, in one convenient place.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Conceal in a Cabinet One convenient, effective way to keep laundry baskets out of sight is to use cabinets in your laundry room.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In that order, Judge Susan van Keulen said government lawyers confirmed the USCIS has a duty to issue a timely decision on an application — and also that the holds are indefinite, two contradictory arguments.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
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This policy ensures the safety of all guests and the timely operation of our voyages.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That music was one of the only ways to communicate with his mom and formed the soundtrack to the mother and son’s happiest moments.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
For me, a happy ending would be Rue finally being free of all of her past mistakes that have led to her current situation.—
Zoë Haylock,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Quarterback luck — losing enough games to get a high draft slot at an opportune time — matters a lot in the NFL because the position is so difficult to evaluate.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
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While the amount of equity to borrow from has risen, the costs of doing so have declined as well, making now an opportune time to leverage the equity under your roof.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On a clear night in the Steel City, chaos took hold as the first round of the NFL Draft revealed wrinkles unforeseen to tens of thousands of rabid fans in Pittsburgh.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Three races in, there’ve been unforeseen winners, unpredicted changes to the schedule and the unanticipated reality of regulation changes dawning.—
Amanda Davies,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Serendipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serendipitous. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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