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

Example 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 Barba Hopfner’s artistic voice emerges from behind the shadow of the references for an auspicious first outing that has legs to resonate outside Mexico. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025 The decision to submit the plans comes at an auspicious time for the neo-classical crowd. Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2025 The chapel itself was an auspicious choice for the occasion. Saskia Solomon, airmail.news, 8 Mar. 2025 Now would be an auspicious time to land a high-profile tenant. Kim Velsey, Curbed, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for auspicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for auspicious
Adjective
  • Gabriel’s older brother David, 22, is a very promising right-handed pitcher in the Texas Rangers’ system.
    Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Farther away from China lies an even more promising strategic opportunity.
    Linggong Kong, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Two women in the crowd sporting red Trump caps appeared to be outnumbered by audience members who took a more favorable stance toward Casten and the Democrats.
    Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The move likely keeps the Pacers in a more favorable postseason picture: a first-round matchup against a Milwaukee Bucks team missing Damian Lillard and a possible second-round matchup against the Cavaliers — and not the defending champion Boston Celtics.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In the image, the girl group smiled while on a beach at night, as a bright, full moon could be seen in the sky behind them.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • An off-white maxi dress covered in black poppies, their graphic petals bloomed open and surrounded by pops of bright red berries.
    Susannah Cahalan, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite their life-altering, Chelsea provided an encouraging update just before the start of the 2025 MLB season this week, sharing that Max has seen incredible recovery in the nine months since he was first diagnosed.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • For human surfers and swimmers, the results were somewhat encouraging.
    Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Choosing to remain optimistic about the value of individual contributions is not naïve, but a deliberate act of defiance.
    Lauren Stienstra, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Poston is optimistic about the bill going into the House and said there’s an opportunity to inform lawmakers on how big of an impact this package will have on Texas.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the timing of his current warning may be propitious.
    Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • This might have been an even more propitious sign of what was to come.
    Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Auspicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/auspicious. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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