FERTILE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fertile' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fertile are fecund , fruitful , and prolific . While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit," fertile implies the power to reproduce in kind or to assist in reproduction and growth; applied figuratively, it suggests readiness of invention and development. // fertile soil // a fertile imagination

Q: Where would 'fecund' be a reasonable alternative to 'fertile'?

While the synonyms fecund and fertile are close in meaning, fecund emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring. // a fecund herd

Q: How is 'fruitful' related to other words for 'fertile'?

Fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the implication of desirable or useful results. // fruitful research

Q: In what contexts can 'prolific' take the place of 'fertile'?

Although the words prolific and fertile have much in common, prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction. // a prolific writer

fertile

adjective

ˈfər-tᵊl

Definition of fertile next

as in prolific

producing abundantly the fertile mind of Leonardo da Vinci explored art, architecture, engineering, mathematics, and many other fields

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How is the word fertile distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fertile are fecund, fruitful, and prolific. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit," fertile implies the power to reproduce in kind or to assist in reproduction and growth; applied figuratively, it suggests readiness of invention and development.

fertile soil

a fertile imagination

Where would fecund be a reasonable alternative to fertile?

While the synonyms fecund and fertile are close in meaning, fecund emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring.

a fecund herd

How is fruitful related to other words for fertile?

Fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the implication of desirable or useful results.

fruitful research

In what contexts can prolific take the place of fertile?

Although the words prolific and fertile have much in common, prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction.

a prolific writer

Examples of fertile in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web Here, in the midst of the high desert of Peru’s Supe River valley, about 14 miles inland from the Pacific, city dwellers had access to both the coast and fertile valley below, where crops were readily cultivated. —

Elissa Garay, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2024 In all, 27 eggs were laid, seven of which were fertile and six that hatched. —

Karen Kucher, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024 It’s often served as an appetizer at an asado, a feast of meats grilled over hot coals, a tradition that began with the legendary gauchos, or cowboys, of the fertile Pampas grasslands. —

Ellen Fort, Saveur, 3 Oct. 2024 Central and Southeastern Europe, long overshadowed by their Western counterparts, are becoming fertile ground for family offices seeking untapped opportunities and growth. —

Francois Botha, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fertile