Difference between "fate" and "destiny"?

[Sultano]

what is the difference between "fate" and "destiny" ?

[Cerberus™]

There is not much difference, except that 'fate' sometimes (not always!) means 'a bad fate', 'death'. 'To meet your fate' usually means 'to die'. Destiny is always neutral.

[Anna.ha]

Hello again, Cerberus,

So just tell me if it sounds natural if I say 'I upset my fate' or it's odd and uncommon and what does that mean? How about 'I upset my destiny' by the way.

Thanks, Anna

[Nanucbe]

‘Fate’ and destiny’
The word 'fate' is something that is used to refer to happenings that brought about some problems or ill-luck. BTW ‘luck’ is the opposite of ‘fate.’ “The ‘fateful’ meeting’ and “The ‘fatal’ accident” are phrases which use derivations of ‘fate.’ So this word ‘fate’ is used to happenings on hand. ‘It was his fate he landed in jail.’ ‘If it is your fate to suffer, you may go ahead.’
But ‘destiny’ looks at what may happen to someone or thing in future.
Destiny may also refer to God’s hand in the results of an action. ‘The destinies of nations are decided by the people who populate them,’ can be taken as an example. So there are differences in the meaning and the use of these words. The thumb rule to use ‘fate’ for any mundane action may be useful.

[Kitosdad]

Your fate is oft-times in the hands of others.

Your destiny has already been decided by your God. No one can change it.
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[Alan]

Hi Anna,

'Upset' used with 'fate' or 'destiny' sounds distinctly odd. If I follow what you want to say, I would suggests either 'avoid' or cheat' with 'fate' in the sense: She cheated fate by not travelling on the plane that crashed.

It doesn't really work with 'destiny'

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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