(1) 致命的(causing death) [A (to)]：a～accident/disease/blow 致命的事故/疾病/打击;The man's wound was/proved～. 那个人所受的伤是/证明是致命的。The scandal was～to the politician's political future. 丑闻对于那个政治家的政治前途是致命的。〖同〗deadly，mortal;〖反〗 harmless，slight，minor;

(2) 毁灭(破坏)性的(causing ruin or destruction，disastrous) [A (to)]：make a～mistake 犯灾难性的错误;The politician's failure in the elections was/proved～to him. 那个政治家在选举中的失败对他来说是/证明是毁灭性的。〖同〗 ruinous，destructive，disastrous;〖反〗 constructive，beneficial，helpful;

→′fatally adv 致命地，毁灭性地;′fatalness n 致命，不幸;′fatalism n 宿命论;′fatalist n 宿命论者;͵fata′listic adj 宿命(论)的;͵fata′listically adv 宿命地;fa′tality n 命运，灾难;′fatalize v 使受命运支配;

【辨异】 fatal与deadly和mortal 的区别见 DEADLY。