prospective

adjective

pro·​spec·​tive prə-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce prospective (audio)
 also  ˈprä-ˌspek-,
prō-ˈspek-,
prä-ˈspek-
1
: relating to or effective in the future
2
a
: likely to come about : expected
the prospective benefits of this law
b
: likely to be or become
a prospective mother
prospectively adverb

Examples of prospective in a Sentence

In 2005 [Jerry] Colangelo arranged face-to-face sit-downs with every prospective national team player, to hear in their own words why they wanted to represent their country. Alexander Wolff, Sports Illustrated, 28 July 2008
All too often in the post-Vietnam past—the first Gulf War, for example—the default position of the Democratic Party has been to assume that any prospective use of U.S. military power would be immoral. Joe Klein, Time, 21 Aug. 2006
All of these arguments were prospective, all anticipated the role that public opinion would play in future constitutional disputes. Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings … , 1996
Recent Examples on the Web There is no statutory requirement that the impact of prospective duties on consumers or downstream industries, such as processors, distributors, or restaurants, be considered. Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 Zoom in: Per Bloomberg, Hein Park hired advisers who have contacted prospective buyers, some of whom are interested in acquiring the entire company. Kerry Flynn, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024 In the meantime, Waite is working on an e-guide for prospective digital nomads perplexed by the lack of clarity about the visa. Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2024 Banijay will be sharing the film with prospective buyers at Mipcom later this month. Jamie Lang, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prospective 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prospective.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see prospect entry 1

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prospective was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near prospective

Cite this Entry

“Prospective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prospective. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

prospective

adjective
pro·​spec·​tive prə-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce prospective (audio)
 also  ˈprä-ˌspek-,
prō-ˈspek-,
prä-ˈspek-
1
: likely to come about
prospective benefits
2
: likely to become
a prospective buyer

Medical Definition

prospective

adjective
pro·​spec·​tive prə-ˈspek-tiv How to pronounce prospective (audio)
: relating to or being a study (as of the incidence of disease) that starts with the present condition of a population of individuals and follows them into the future compare retrospective
prospectively adverb

Legal Definition

prospective

adjective
pro·​spec·​tive prə-ˈspek-tiv, ˈprä-ˌspek- How to pronounce prospective (audio)
1
: relating to or effective in the future
a statute's prospective effect
2
: likely to come about : expected to happen
prospective inability to perform the contract
3
: likely to be or become
a prospective buyer
prospectively adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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