providential
adjective
prov·i·den·tial ˌprä-və-ˈden(t)-shəl 
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
providentially
ˌprä-və-ˈden(t)-sh(ə-)lē
adverb 
Synonyms
- fluky
- flukey
- fortuitous
- fortunate
- happy
- heaven-sent
- lucky
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
We had made a providential escape. It seemed providential that he should arrive at just that moment.
Recent Examples on the Web In this providential outlook, all events, even seemingly evil ones, ultimately forward a story of progress, and the great must at times rise above ordinary mortality with the promise of vindication by history. 
Priya Satia, The New Republic, 20 May 2022 Over the decades since Fleming’s death, his followers have persisted with this providential view of things. New York Times, 16 Mar. 2022 Evening advances, and the sky turns a providential pink. Andrew Kay, Longreads, 17 July 2021 His competitive breakthrough, however, was as providential and unexpected as the broken board that introduced him to surfing. Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2021 For Menendez and his wife, who plays piano for the church, the move to Anchorage seems providential, just like the rest of the story. Author: Lex Treinen, Anchorage Daily News, 16 May 2021 But it's been especially so since 1989, when the collapse of our superpower rival inspired providential reveries of a unipolar world led, largely unimpeded, by the U.S. and its allies. Damon Linker, TheWeek, 9 Dec. 2020 By January, you may be showered with rewards for a job well done and could find your life greatly improved by a providential stroke of good luck. oregonlive, 29 June 2020 Do believers truly plead with God to alleviate some of the suffering, to be an instrument of His love and providential care in the midst of it? Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, 19 Aug. 2019 See More
Priya Satia, The New Republic, 20 May 2022 Over the decades since Fleming’s death, his followers have persisted with this providential view of things. New York Times, 16 Mar. 2022 Evening advances, and the sky turns a providential pink. Andrew Kay, Longreads, 17 July 2021 His competitive breakthrough, however, was as providential and unexpected as the broken board that introduced him to surfing. Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2021 For Menendez and his wife, who plays piano for the church, the move to Anchorage seems providential, just like the rest of the story. Author: Lex Treinen, Anchorage Daily News, 16 May 2021 But it's been especially so since 1989, when the collapse of our superpower rival inspired providential reveries of a unipolar world led, largely unimpeded, by the U.S. and its allies. Damon Linker, TheWeek, 9 Dec. 2020 By January, you may be showered with rewards for a job well done and could find your life greatly improved by a providential stroke of good luck. oregonlive, 29 June 2020 Do believers truly plead with God to alleviate some of the suffering, to be an instrument of His love and providential care in the midst of it? Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, 19 Aug. 2019 See More Word History
First Known Use
1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1
providential
adjective
as in fortunate
coming or happening by good luck especially unexpectedly winning the lottery could not have come at a more providential time for the recently laid-off worker Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- fortunate
- fortuitous
- happy
- lucky
- coincidental
- convenient
- favorable
- unexpected
- heaven-sent
- fluky
- flukey
- opportune
- unforeseen
- promising
- timely
- seasonable
- accidental
- propitious
- serendipitous
- unlooked-for
- benign
- auspicious
- chance
- hopeful
- beneficial
- encouraging
- good
- bright
- advantageous
- profitable
- heartening
- golden
- halcyon
- fair
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unfortunate
- untimely
- foreseen
- unlucky
- inopportune
- hapless
- luckless
- unseasonable
- intentional
- anticipated
- unhappy
- deliberate
- inconvenient
- expected
- planned
- ill-starred
- catastrophic
- ill-fated
- inauspicious
- star-crossed
- disastrous
- calamitous
- unpromising
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of providential are fortunate, happy, and lucky. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.
a providential change in the weather
While the synonyms fortunate and providential are close in meaning, 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
The meanings of lucky and providential largely overlap; however, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.
won because of a lucky bounce