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providential

adjective
prov·​i·​den·​tial | \ ËŒprä-vÉ™-ˈden(t)-shÉ™l How to pronounce providential (audio) \

Definition of providential

1 : of, relating to, or determined by Providence
2 archaic : marked by foresight : prudent
3 : occurring by or as if by an intervention of Providence a providential escape
Other Words from providential Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about providential

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Other Words from providential

providentially \ ËŒprä-​vÉ™-​ˈden(t)-​sh(É™-​)lÄ“ How to pronounce providentially (audio) \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for providential

lucky, fortunate, happy, providential mean meeting with unforeseen success. lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result. won because of a lucky bounce fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts. fortunate in my investments happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed. a series of happy accidents providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power. a providential change in the weather

Examples of providential in a Sentence

We had made a providential escape. It seemed providential that he should arrive at just that moment.

Recent Examples on the Web

 Henson narrowly avoided that harsh fate through a highly providential twist of events: Riley’s nephew Amos, the young man tasked with selling Henson, contracted malaria. — Jared Brock, Smithsonian, "The Story of Josiah Henson, the Real Inspiration for ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’," 16 May 2018 On the way to Missouri, a providential thing happened in the ketchup aisle at a Walmart somewhere in Arkansas. — Southern Living, "What Stands in a Storm, Part III: Fellowship," 12 July 2011 The timing struck Americans as providential, for Adams had led the push for independence in the Continental Congress, and Jefferson drafted the inspirational document that justified the decision. — Alan Taylor, WSJ, "Review: Adams and Jefferson, Two ‘Friends Divided’," 20 Oct. 2017 But one place art can come from is a life full of forces-difficult-to-make-fit-together, a life that finds, in art, a providential instrument for reconciling the jagged bits. — Richard Ford, New York Times, "Richard Ford Reviews Bruce Springsteen’s Memoir," 22 Sep. 2016 On the way to Missouri, a providential thing happened in the ketchup aisle at a Walmart somewhere in Arkansas. — Southern Living, "What Stands in a Storm, Part III: Fellowship," 1 May 2017 Here is a white man whose whiteness fails to yield any providential good fortune, and a sojourner in the wilderness of himself confronting the cipher of the universe with religious dread. — Benjamin Kunkel, The New Yorker, "A Neglected South American Masterpiece," 23 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'providential.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of providential

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for providential

providential

adjective
How to pronounce providential (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of providential

formal : happening at a good time because of luck

See the full definition for providential in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on providential

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with providential

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for providential

Spanish Central: Translation of providential

Nglish: Translation of providential for Spanish Speakers

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