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Synonym Chooser

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

The words auspicious and propitious are common synonyms of favorable. While all three words mean "pointing toward a happy outcome," favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous.

favorable weather conditions

When is auspicious a more appropriate choice than favorable?

In some situations, the words auspicious and favorable are roughly equivalent. However, auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event.

an auspicious beginning

When is it sensible to use propitious instead of favorable?

While in some cases nearly identical to favorable, 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 favorable This was attributed to cost efficiencies and favorable product mix. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 31 Jan. 2025 Protecting their leaves in this way gives these plants a ready supply of nutrients for the arrival of more favorable conditions. Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2025 That same tilt was found when men and women were asked if their opinion of Trump was favorable or unfavorable. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2025 That can’t happen during what appears to be a favorable stretch on Minnesota’s schedule. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for favorable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for favorable
Adjective
  • This is creating space for a new and positive transformation.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
  • An additional positive indicator, according to Lester, is the absorption of office space in Nashville.
    Molly Davis, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Spencer Lane was a promising figure skating talent with Olympic dreams.
    Susan Young, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
  • The song appears on Andy S.’s brand new EP Born Ready, which is six explosive tracks of all different vibes, and is a fascinating introduction to a bright and promising artist.
    Heran Mamo, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Rainfall will be mostly beneficial but poses a risk for dangerous debris flows over recent burn scars.
    James Bickerton, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
  • That rate is of an intensity that is beneficial and isn’t intense enough to start producing mud flows or a debris flow.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Mancini, meanwhile, doesn’t have a high ceiling but has a good chance of developing into a legitimate upgrade compared to who the Canucks have iced on the right side of their third pair this season (Noah Juulsen/Vincent Desharnais).
    Corey Pronman, The Athletic, 1 Feb. 2025
  • These are legitimate questions, with no good answers.
    Chris Boudreau, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • For Max, the Nielsen shoutout is an encouraging sign.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025
  • The encouraging constant is that Jackson gets himself into goalscoring positions at an outstanding rate: his non-penalty xG per 90 minutes in 2024-25 is 0.61, ranking him fifth among all Premier League players and not far behind Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (0.64), according to FBref.
    Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • For people who have kids, having an emergency contact with legal residency status who has permission to pick them up from school can also be helpful.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2025
  • The cash could be helpful as Dover’s leadership team considers further adjustments to its wide-ranging portfolio that focuses the company on more attractive end markets.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • That is the motto of your presidency: the best and the brightest, the most intelligent, coming into these spaces.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
  • The Panthers’ stars on Saturday shone bright against a young and overmatched Blackhawks club.
    Adam Beasley, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near favorable

Cite this Entry

“Favorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/favorable. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on favorable

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