Synonyms of fertile

fertile

adjective

ˈfər-tᵊl 

as in prolific

producing abundantly

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prolific
• rich
• fecund
• fruitful
• productive
• lush
• generative
• creative
• luxuriant
• abundant
• inventive
• producing
• plentiful
• generous
• fat
• fructuous
• cornucopian
• bearing
• bountiful
• yielding
• thriving
• copious
• liberal
• flourishing
• original
• bursting
• blooming
• plenteous
• teeming
• abounding
• swarming
• plenitudinous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sterile
• barren
• infertile
• dead
• unproductive
• unfruitful
• unfertile
• sparse
• scanty
• meager
• scant
• spare
• skimpy
• meagre
• skimp

Synonym Chooser

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 Sentences

Recent Examples of fertile

The weather service says lake-effect snow is produced when a cold airmass moves south from Canada and beyond over the comparatively warm Great Lakes, pulling some of the lake water quickly into the atmosphere, forming fertile clouds and generating snow at a rate of 2 to 3 inches and more each hour. —Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2024

We are blessed by huge stretches of fertile farmland, sturdy forest, gorgeous beaches, and teeming fisheries. —The Editors, National Review, 28 Nov. 2024

Many observers believe the presidential outcome indicates a sharp shift from Romania’s mainstream parties to more populist anti-establishment parties, whose voices have found fertile ground amid high inflation, high cost of living and a sluggish economy. —Stephen McGrath, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024

Golf tournaments, such as the Masters, and high-profile sailing competitions like the America’s Cup have long been fertile grounds for luxury sponsorship. —Benjamin Voyer, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024