AUSPICIOUS Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'auspicious' different from other adjectives like it?

The words favorable and propitious are common synonyms of auspicious . While all three words mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event. // an auspicious beginning

Q: In what contexts can 'favorable' take the place of 'auspicious'?

In some situations, the words favorable and auspicious are roughly equivalent. However, favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous. // favorable weather conditions

Q: When would 'propitious' be a good substitute for 'auspicious'?

The synonyms propitious and auspicious are sometimes interchangeable, but propitious may also apply to beginnings but often implies a continuing favorable condition. // a propitious time for starting a business

auspicious

adjective

ȯ-ˈspi-shəs

Definition of auspicious next

as in promising

having qualities which inspire hope told him she couldn't dance with him just then, but her auspicious smile encouraged him to ask again later

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in favorable

pointing toward a happy outcome began the season with an auspicious win against their strongest football rival

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word auspicious different from other adjectives like it?

The words favorable and propitious are common synonyms of auspicious. While all three words mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event.

an auspicious beginning

In what contexts can favorable take the place of auspicious?

In some situations, the words favorable and auspicious are roughly equivalent. However, favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous.

favorable weather conditions

When would propitious be a good substitute for auspicious?

The synonyms propitious and auspicious are sometimes interchangeable, but propitious may also apply to beginnings but often implies a continuing favorable condition.

a propitious time for starting a business

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of auspicious Li noted that 2024, a dragon year in the Chinese calendar, could boost births temporarily as the year is considered auspicious. —

Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024 So Bernard, returning from his war journey with an auspicious sign - finding the 1928 Champagne Salon bottles, took over Laurent-Perrier. —

Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 But when Ash fires a flare into the fog and kills Hanna — a pretty auspicious beginning for a man who somehow managed to get away with never killing another human until now — Melissa McBride plays the moment with a certain bittersweetness. —

Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2024 The 49ers didn’t get off to an auspicious start in coverage. —

David Lombardi, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for auspicious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for auspicious

Adjective

Darius Slay batted down Bryce Young’s fourth-down attempt two plays later, securing the ninth-straight victory for an 11-2 team that just got a sneak preview of how its promising season can end.

Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
In the six conversations below, some of this year's most promising and ambitious chefs discuss everything from overcoming self-doubt during their first year in business to the work of preserving and amplifying their culture.

Elazar Sontag, Bon Appétit, 9 Dec. 2024